August 20-26, 2020 | Illinois Times | 1

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FREE August 20-26, 2020 • Vol. 46, No. 5

Schools shapeshiftFamilies adjust to ever-changing plans

10 EDUCATION | Rachel Otwell

2 | www.illinoistimes.com | August 20-26, 2020

August 20-26, 2020 | Illinois Times | 3

OPINION

Where, I wonder, would they put a statue of Mike Madigan?

In July, the House speaker announced that he wanted to see the statues of Pierre Menard, a slaveholder, and Stephen A. Douglas, whose wife owned slaves and who was a nativist bigot, liar and opportunist, removed from the east lawn. It took Madigan 78 years to learn who Douglas was and what he stood for – he’s been busy – and what he learned offended him. Happily for the speaker, today Douglas-ites in Illinois are Republicans, not that politics would have anything to do with his decision to throw Douglas to the mob.

It takes a lot to disgrace the Illinois legislature, and even more to disgrace Illinois Democrats, as the party’s long embrace of Douglas reminds us, and in his July announcement, Madigan wrote, “Memorializing people and a time that allowed slavery and fostered bigotry and oppression has no place” in the Capitol of the people’s government. If he believes that, he still has some housekeeping to do. The Statehouse is festooned with paintings of other slaveholders, from the French to Indians such as the Illiniwek people, after whom the state is named.

The Statehouse inside and out is crammed with memorials to land speculators and war-mongeres and Red-baiters and vote-fixers. What happens when our standards of public probity expand to encompass them too? And what about racism and imperialism? Are they bad yet? Consider the Spanish-American War Memorial that stands outside the Armory on Monroe Street across the street from the Capitol. Unlike the state memorials to Korea and Vietnam, this one does not particularize the Illinois soldiers who took part; instead, the base is engraved with the names of major

battles from that conflict. Standards of public probity shift with time and politics. How many Illinoisans today have concluded that it was a filthy and stupid little war, a further spasm of the same impulse that dispossessed the native peoples on this continent.

One option is to accept that history is not made by heroes but by men and women who did good things for Illinois in spite of being bad people. The good people of California are struggling with these issues too. Dick Spotswood, a columnist for the Bay Area’s

Marin Independent Journal, had something useful to say. “If American society abolishes naming anything after anyone with any involvement with slavery, colonialism or even capitalism, we are heading down an endless road with curious turns,” he wrote in June. “The totality of life is complicated and its nuances rarely fit neatly within contemporary ideologies.” He adds, “American society, when reexamining itself, must look at the whole historical picture before arriving at an intelligent understanding of events and people past. … Anything else is just politics.”

Meanwhile, what do we do with our fallen heroes? One option is to preserve the statues but recontextualize them. Blacks Lives Matter in the UK too, of course. There, statues of slave-owners or sugar magnates who profited from slavery have been vandalized, toppled or reinscribed, we might say, with painted slogans. When one such statue was pushed into Bristol Harbor, the Bristol City Council had it recovered and put into safe storage, the plan being to exhibit it in a museum, leaving in place the graffiti and ropes placed on it by the protesters.

The same problem found a different solution in Russia upon the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Busts and statues of now disgraced heroes of the revolution such as Lenin, Kalinin and Stalin were collected and reinstalled in a local park, a Garden of Fallen Monuments. Imagine the scene – a park with hundreds of Lenins that cumulatively convey the absurdity of the Communists’ personality cult. Why not convert the Y block or the parking lot which now defaces the block west of the Statehouse into a memorial park, a shady grove in which would be installed shunned representations of Illinois’ discredited heroes and all its monuments to folly. Me, I’d like to live long enough to see a statue of Douglas be the object of insult and derision from passing schoolchildren.

As for what to place atop the soon-to-be empty plinths on the Statehouse grounds? I propose that the Menard plinth be left empty, but reinscribed, with the words, “The perfect Illinois public figure.”

Mr. Krohe taught Abraham Lincoln how to write, and has contributed to Illinois Times since 1975. Dozens of his columns and features can be read again at his web archives of his Illinois work at www.jameskrohejr.com. Bruce Rushton is on vacation.

continued on page 5

“Big Jim” Thompson was tall of stature, and he will forever stand tall in the history of Illinois politics. James R. Thompson (JRT) served as Illinois governor from 1977-1991. I had the privilege of working for him during his last five years in office.

With the recent news of his passing, much is being written about Illinois’ longest-serving governor. For me, many things stand out. He was a moderate Republican whose staff and supporters included Democrats and Independents in addition to Republicans.

He was smart. He remembered everything he read. It wasn’t uncommon for him to cite a fact included in a long addendum to a briefing. He was gregarious and enjoyed engaging with people from all walks of life. He listened and made things happen. Working on his staff was never dull.

Early in my tenure on staff, I was told “the governor has been talking to Willie.” That was the beginning of Thompson and Willie Nelson, along with John Mellencamp and Neil Young, launching the star-studded first Farm Aid concert on Sept. 22, 1985, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Thompson was equally at ease working with Dr. Leon Lederman, Nobel Prize winner in physics and director of Fermilab. In response to Illinois losing its bid for the Superconductor Super Collider, Thompson and Lederman brought together Illinois’ leading research universities, national laboratories and corporate executives and created a state-funded program to compete for federal grants for science and technology projects.

During the controversy surrounding the proposed closure of the Native American burial ground at Dickson Mounds Museum, Thompson met with Native American activists. He also dropped by beauty shops in Lewistown to hear what local women thought.

Thompson listened to disparate views and made well-informed decisions. He relied on staff to prepare comprehensive bill reviews and position papers before acting on bills passed by the legislature and making other decisions. He factored in the policy issues, budgetary impacts, political implications and kept track of who were proponents and opponents.

What made Thompson such a good governorGUESTWORK | Karen Ackerman Witter

There are no windy speeches at the Democrat convention. The speakers take their masks off just long enough to say wearing masks shows empathy for one another, and, as Michelle said, “We know what’s going on in our country is just not right.” Democrats are sensing this is their year, the wind is at their back. It’s time to honor those who have died by breathing life into old ideals. The campaign can appeal to everybody, with a simple message built on decency and against hate. In his farewell essay, “Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation,” the late Congressman John Lewis concluded, “Walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.” –Fletcher Farrar, editor and CEO

Cover painting by Felicia Olin

Editor’s note

Fallen heroesDon’t remove offending Statehouse statues, just move themCOMMENTARY | James Krohe Jr.

Spanish-American War Memorial located in front of former state armory building across the street from the State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. PHOTO BY FLETCHER FARRAR

4 | www.illinoistimes.com | August 20-26, 2020

Pritzker scores two victoriesPOLITICS | Rich Miller

OPINION

Tuesday, August 11 was probably the best day, professionally, that Gov. JB Pritzker has had in quite a while.

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules has been a source of legislative frustration for the governor all year. He didn’t quite seem to grasp how best to work its process-dominated membership, and he was handed a major defeat back in May when JCAR members in both parties turned thumbs down on a sweeping plan to impose fines and even jail time on violators of Pritzker’s COVID-19 executive orders.

Pritzker’s general counsel, Ann Spillane, spent hours explaining to and negotiating with JCAR members the myriad details in the administration’s latest attempt at enforcing some of the governor’s executive orders on mask-wearing and gathering sizes. Spillane testified on behalf of the emergency rule that Tuesday and she and her final product drew praise from members on both sides of the aisle, even though some said they had “agreed to disagree.”

Enlisting organized labor and medical and public health leaders to help put public and private pressure on JCAR wasn’t a bad idea, either. And, rather than relying on legislative leaders to put the arm on fellow Democrats, the governor himself got directly involved and called individual members of the committee.

The administration worked it hard and worked it well, and it all paid off when it cleared the panel and took effect. The new administrative rule is far better than Pritzker’s attempt in May and also better than the draft released just a week earlier. That’s how things are supposed to work.

As the administration’s top lawyer, Spillane, who served former Attorney General Lisa Madigan as her chief of staff, has also been heavily involved with the numerous court battles over Pritzker’s executive orders.

And the governor had a banner day at the Illinois Supreme Court that Tuesday as well. Pritzker asked the day before that the state’s top court step in to put a stop to the charade in Clay County, where a judge had issued rulings on behalf of Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) that Will County Circuit Judge John Anderson recently wrote were “bereft of any meaningful legal analysis.”

Clay County Judge Michael McHaney was planning a hearing on Friday, Aug. 14 to decide whether to hold Pritzker in contempt for continuing to issue executive

orders in defiance of McHaney’s rulings and perhaps throw the governor in jail. On Monday, the governor asked the Supreme Court to intervene on McHaney’s “unenforceable and nonappealable partial summary judgment order,” stay the contempt hearing and take up the case itself.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued a stay on the contempt hearing and then later in the day decided not to take up the case, but instead acted on its own to consolidate Bailey’s case with others that it had already shifted to Sangamon County at the governor’s behest. The high court also ordered that another Clay County case filed by Bailey’s attorney over the administration’s school reopening guidance (including a face mask mandate) be consolidated with similar cases in Sangamon County.

The justices had obviously seen enough of the Clay County show trials and finally stepped in to stop a county judge from attempting to dictate to the state. The media-friendly legal maneuverings will likely continue, but at least they’ll now happen on a level judicial playing field (unless another avenue is found).

There were some who believed Spillane should’ve cashed out in the private sector

after Lisa Madigan retired. Spillane wanted to continue her public service career, however, and Pritzker is darned lucky to have her, especially during this unforeseen pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Republican leadership here has managed to put themselves on the side of outliers like Rep. Bailey. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, for one, publicly opposed Pritzker’s emergency rule on masks, even though national and regional public opinion polls have revealed strong support for requiring face-coverings.

And that public support will likely continue because mask mandates appear to be working. Lincoln, Nebraska has dramatically lowered its daily case count and positivity rate after imposing a mask mandate just a few weeks ago. It worked so well that Omaha’s city council unanimously approved a similar mandate last Tuesday night over opposition from the state’s governor.

Some business groups opposed Pritzker’s mask rule, and the cash-strapped House Republicans need every bit of help they can get in a year that’s not looking so good for their party here. So, I suppose it was a decent short-term decision. But that’s going to be a difficult position to defend in some of their suburban battlegrounds.

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August 20-26, 2020 | Illinois Times | 5

LETTERSWe welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to letters@illinoistimes.com.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR ALPLMCongratulations to Bruce Rushton, who, by obtaining an interview with Harold Holzer, a renowned Lincoln scholar, is again focusing attention on the ongoing mismanagement at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (“Getting real: ALPLM wrestles with hat, looks for leadership,” July 30). The lack of transparency, conflicts of interest and overall disharmony by its own foundation has repeatedly caused damage to the reputation of the ALPLM.

What Springfield may not know is that Governer George Ryan wanted to hire Holzer to run the ALPLM.  I was with Ryan the day he hosted Holzer and other dignitaries at a dinner at the Pasfield House the night of the grand opening celebration of the library.

Unfortunately, Holzer was overlooked by the foundation when George Ryan left office and Lura Lynn Ryan stepped down as foundation

chair.  Richard Norton Smith became the front man.  No one expected him to stay or dedicate himself to the study of Lincoln like Holzer, who has written more books on Lincoln then anyone.

Louise Taper herself, along with 38 new members, were added to the foundation board under Governor Rod Blagojevich.  Then the foundation purchased her collection.  Before the purchase, a second appraiser raised questions as to the provenance of Lincoln’s hat; it was ignored. Remember, the Taper collection was repeatedly rejected until 2007.  The previous foundation chair, Lura Ryan, turned down the collection, which was being pushed as an all-or-nothing proposal.

Prior to the Taper purchase, the foundation had $14.7 million in the bank, raised by the Ryans from private funds, and pledges totaling $22 million, from what I understand.  Those funds have been depleted and ever since, the foundation has missed out on acquiring new Lincoln collectibles. Holzer sold his own valuable collection several years ago.

How proud we could have been of the ALPLM if the

Ryans would have been able to hire Harold Holzer.Tony LeoneFormer ALPLM board memberSpringfield

FOR BETTER OR WORSEDave Blanchette’s piece about the ordeal he and his wife endured after her accident was a beautiful, heart-wrenching story (“For better or worse,” Aug. 6). We never know how life will treat us. We can only agree to do the best we can with kindness and love. I am sure he has an angel looking over him, and I will pray for him to gain peace.Janet TolleyVia illinoistimes.com

PROACTIVE INVESTMENTI congratulate the Springfield City Council for passing a resolution which includes proactively investing in Ward 2 and Ward 3 and developing strategies and practices to combat poverty, along with ensuring that minority business goals have minimum requirements.

Although the city council resolution does not go as far as reparations, it is a step in that direction.Vinod GuptaSpringfield

Hard Being a Farmer poem #1

my brother spent two winters in arizona for sinus; here he’s 13 in 1943. I was a lone kid on the farm and sent him many letters. “Craig, remember I wrote you about that night walk Dad and I took to see what was glowing in the nearby field and found an ebbing funeral pyre of animals, maybe sheep? Gruesome!Today Dad asked Blodgett, who said it was pigs, about 25 of them burning that had died of a parasitic infection of the intestines – highly contagious so they had to be burned. So now we know.” I felt bad for the pigs and our neighbor but that companionable walk with my dad over the silent fields I’ve never forgot

2020 Jacqueline Jackson

OPINION

Thompson’s environmental record earned him respect from the environmental community. He expanded funding for open space and included funding for natural areas and the environment in his large Build Illinois infrastructure program. He agreed to listen to presentations by the Illinois Environmental Council about major policy issues; this memorable meeting lasted five hours. His administration was responsible for significant environmental legislation, including the Solid Waste Management Act and Groundwater Protection Act.

Thompson was an advocate for the arts and cultural organizations. He created the Historic Preservation Agency. Thompson had a personal interest in art and antiques and hosted antique shows on the grounds of the governor’s mansion. When the Thompson Center was built in the Chicago Loop, an Illinois Art Gallery and Illinois Artisans Shop graced the second floor, thanks to Thompson. He created the Illinois Artisans Program within the Illinois State Museum to raise the visibility of the state’s talented artisans. He led many trade missions, and the gifts he gave to foreign leaders were often handcrafted items made by Illinois artisans. He requested the Illinois State Museum Society operate a second artisans shop in the Executive Mansion. A few weeks prior to leaving office, Thompson cut the ribbon opening the Southern Illinois Art and Artisans Center at Rend Lake. The center, which sadly is now closed, has a colorful history connected to wrangling votes for the White Sox Stadium.

After leaving public office, Thompson would sometimes ask to visit the Illinois State Museum when in Springfield attending inauguration ceremonies. A number of years ago, he requested to see the museum’s decoy collection. As we were driving from the museum to the Research and Collections Center, we passed by the Dana-Thomas House. Thompson remarked that the two things that people stop him on the street to thank him for the most are the White Sox Stadium and saving the Dana-Thomas House.

Governor Thompson’s legacy looms large. In today’s challenging and partisan times, we could use more leaders like JRT.

Karen Ackerman Witter worked for the state of Illinois for 35 years under five governors. She served on Governor Thompson’s program staff as assistant to the governor for natural resources prior to Thompson appointing her director of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources. She later served 14 years as associate director of the Illinois State Museum.

What made Thompson such a good governorcontinued from page 3

Harold Holzer, one of the nation’s leading Lincoln scholars, spoke to the ALPLM board of trustees in May. Among other things, he advised the board to be committed to transparency, resolve the authenticity of the stovepipe hat purportedly worn by Lincoln and consider increasing the space dedicated to displaying artifacts. PHOTO COURTESY HAROLD HOLZER

6 | www.illinoistimes.com | August 20-26, 2020

NEWS

In the five months since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S., Springfield’s economy has suffered in roughly the same ways as most other cities in Illinois and the nation. Owners of beloved mainstay restaurants – one of the industries hit hardest by the pandemic – have called it quits, and retail has been forced to come up with unique solutions to stay afloat in an economic downturn with no end in sight.

At the same time, local consumers’ response to COVID-19 has varied widely, from spend-ing more than usual on local businesses if they’ve been able to hold onto their jobs, to belt-tightening if they haven’t been so lucky, especially as the extra $600 per week approved by Congress in the early days of the pandemic expired earlier this month.

The Springfield metro area has seen a 31% drop in employment in the leisure and hospitality sector, according to the latest data available from the federal Bureau of Labor Sta-tistics. Alarming as that figure is, it’s a recovery from the nosedive measured in April, when leisure and hospitality employment in the Springfield region had dropped off at a staggering 61% amid Illinois’ peak COVID-19 infec-tions and hospitalizations, when bars were still completely shuttered and restaurants could only offer meals for pick-up and delivery.

Perhaps more than any other met-ropolitan area in Illinois, Springfield’s economy is reliant upon tourism – whether from those traveling to explore Abraham Lincoln sites, or the hundreds of lawmakers, lobbyists and other staff connected to the General Assembly’s usual legislative session, always looking for dinner and drinks.

In their absence, Downtown Springfield Inc. Executive Director Lisa Clemmons Stott said businesses in Springfield’s downtown area espe-cially have experienced a wake-up call.

“One of the stark realities of COVID is how much we depended on our tourism economy,” Clemmons Stott said. “We’ve lost millions of dollars due to loss of hotel rooms. We’re not able to host conventions, the legisla-ture’s [not in session], we’re not able to attract the million tourists that come to Lincoln sites every year. Downtown businesses didn’t realize how much we depend on those tourists until they’re taken away from them.”

The cornerstones of Springfield’s economy – state government and health care – are

unlikely to disappear in the long term, Spring-field Sangamon Growth Alliance President and CEO Ryan McCrady said. He acknowledged the COVID-induced shifts like the Hospital Sisters Health System laying off 10% of its staff earlier this summer and a large amount of Springfield-based state employees work-ing from home for the foreseeable future will force businesses to rethink “point of delivery,” whether for food, retail items or services.

“The retail environment is set up based on the way customers behave,” McCrady said. “I think behavior is going to change. People are

not going to act the same post-pandemic as before.”

But McCrady agreed with Clemmons Stott, saying Springfield’s economy should build resilience while focusing on its own residents – and attracting new ones.

“I don’t think we can count on the things that we’ve counted on forever,” McCrady said.

Aside from hospitality and leisure, the Springfield metro area has also seen significant drops in the construction and manufacturing industries. However, BLS data show an 18% rise in “information” jobs from June 2019 to

June 2020, outpacing all other central Illinois metro areas, many of whom have seen big drop-offs in those job types, which include computer-based work that can be done from home.

Clemmons Stott said permanent shifts in both workers’ desire to work from home and employers’ willingness to let them could be a net positive, especially to downtown Spring-field. She pointed to two studies focused on Springfield in the past decade, each showing that there was a market for more residential housing in Springfield’s downtown area and that more full-time residents could build up

local businesses. “People now understand they can

work remotely,” Clemmons Stott said. “We can transition buildings that previously housed state offices into residential housing.”

Clemmons Stott imagines the se-lection of vacant property downtown being turned into everything from more apartments to businesses in any traditional downtown – including a bodega, a pharmacy and a space that could host a farmers market when the weather turns cold.

And she’s not alone. Clemmons Stott said she’s had a record number of would-be entrepreneurs contact her about new ideas this summer, even in the midst of a global pan-demic and recession.

“There’s this entrepreneurial churn [downtown],” Clemmons Stott said. “It’s a great neighborhood to test business ideas.”

Earlier this summer, an article from Business Insider made waves lo-cally after naming Springfield the best city in America to relocate to after the pandemic subsides. Both Clemmons Stott and McCrady said they hope that prediction bears out.

“Communities like Springfield have an opportunity to attract resi-

dents as we go through and hopefully come out of this pandemic,” McCrady said. “The world’s going to look different than it does today…people are going to have a different value proposition when they decide where they want to live and businesses will have a differ-ent value proposition when it comes to where they want to locate.”

Naturally, McCrady hopes it’s in Springfield.

Hannah Meisel is a journalist with nearly seven years of experience reporting on Illinois government and politics.

Springfield’s economy gets a wake-up callECONOMY | Hannah Meisel

GOING POSTALConjecture on social media about why a post office in Springfield was

closed during the afternoon of Aug. 17 included speculation as to whether it had something to do with the president’s alleged affront on the United States Postal Service. Upon an inquiry with USPS as to why the post office on Wabash Avenue in Springfield was closed for a time, a spokesperson said there had been an “internal issue” between the hours of noon and 2 p.m. Meanwhile, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined other states in a federal lawsuit on Aug. 18, arguing reductions in USPS operations in recent weeks are illegal. The postal service released a statement the same day saying that practices such as removing mail collection boxes would be halted until after the election. Applications for vote-by-mail have gone out to registered voters in Sangamon County per a new state law meant to ensure safe and accessible voting. In July, USPS told the Illinois State Board of Elections that it might not be able to handle the amount of in mail-in ballots.

CAPCITY

REMOTE RENTALSRachel and Zachary Rambach have children who go to Blessed

Sacrament Catholic School. Unlike District 186, Springfield parochial schools are conducting in-person classes. The Rambachs said while they feel assured that safety precautions are being taken, they’re also ready for their kids to return to remote learning if public health measures call for it. Their new business is meant to provide a space for remote learning away from home. Rachel is a music therapist. Zachary owns an insurance agency. They’ve just opened their new endeavor that offers rentable space for students to study and/or get help from tutors and teachers. The Learning Annex,1230 Centre West Dr., also provides rooms teachers can rent to do virtual lessons and other work. The Rambachs say rooms will be sanitized in between uses and masks are required in common spaces. Zachary said he has family members who are educators. “We appreciate and understand everything that everyone is going through and the sacrifices they are making,” he said.

CAPCITY

Lisa Clemmons Stott, executive director of Downtown Springfield Inc., has lately been fielding lots of calls from entrepreneurs with ideas for redeveloping downtown property. Here she stands at Seventh and Adams in front of a building that was once the home of Harry S. Clayton Furniture and, more recently, Jade's Emporium. The building has been purchased by new owners with plans to convert the upper stories to 10 new apartments. PHOTO BY JOSEPH COPLEY.

August 20-26, 2020 | Illinois Times | 7

Beirut’s blast stole our childhoodMEMOIR | Nabih Elhajj

Nabih Elhajj is an educator and a nonprofit executive in Springfield. He was born in Leba-non and raised in Beirut.

In 1960, my grandparents moved into a fifth-floor apartment in the historic Gemmayze neighborhood, just across from Beirut’s seaport. Their balcony looked onto the Mediterranean, framed by the white silos and shipping containers at the port. My mother and aunt were born there. Both received their first communions at the church next door, Saint-Antoine De Padoue. Everyone knew everyone. On Sundays, the family would walk down Rue Pasteur to church, passing by street cafes and local grocery stores. After mass, they would stop at the bakery, Patisserie Kassab, to take home manousheh (traditional flatbread with herbs), petit fours and croissants for a Sunday breakfast that whispered of the French influence on Lebanese cuisine.

When it was time for my mother, Zeina, to start her family, my grandparents gave her the apartment. And though the political maelstrom loomed outside, my sister, Nadine, brother, Elie, and I were sheltered within the walls of our home, lost in the banality and joy of daily life. We often sat on the balcony watching cruise ships dock and imagined we were ship captains. My mother would cook riz a’djej (chicken and rice) or chichbarak (yogurt and beef tortellini), which we ate as a family at our small dining table. On Saturdays, we watched kids’ shows and built fortresses from the cushions of our living-room couch.

But in 2005, the situation in Lebanon was escalating. Prime Minister Rafik Hariri

was assassinated, which triggered a period of violent turmoil. Like many youths in my neighborhood, I was an activist, working toward a better Lebanon. When my father deemed the risk too great, he sent me to America for a chance at a better life. Cancer took him three years later, before he could send my younger siblings or see my accomplishments. After his death, I continued my education in the U.S., while my mom raised Nadine and Elie in Beirut. I visited home and my family whenever I could. Years later, I met my wife in the U.S., and in 2015, she and her family returned with me for us to marry at our church in Beirut.

America is now my home and has afforded me opportunities I wouldn’t have had in Lebanon. I am educated. I feel safe, surrounded by a loving community. But it is hard having family in Lebanon, always a powder keg. I have worried constantly about their safety. When I would voice this concern to my mother, she would say that the Virgin Mary, her patron saint, is her friend, and that if she died, she wouldn’t suffer.

The morning of Aug. 4 was beautiful, so I decided to go for a bike ride in Springfield. I strapped my bike to my car and then paused to call my mother, as I have done every morning for nearly 15 years. She didn’t answer. I didn’t think much of it. But a few minutes later, my brother called from his office in North Beirut. He said there had been an explosion.

We called our sister and, after multiple attempts, she answered. She was trapped at the gym, located in our childhood school, where the walls had collapsed. She could only repeat in desperate tones, “What happened? What happened?” Shaken, she

made her way out of the rubble and took off on foot. Dust hovered over the city like a thick fog, making it hard to breathe. She scrambled over the remains of decimated buildings to make her way to our mother, who was still not answering her phone. My brother was also racing to her aid.

Helpless, and far away in America, I called our neighbors, our church, our corner grocery store, our friends. No one would answer. My heart threatened to break from my chest – I could hardly breathe. I was cold, shaking, weeping uncontrollably.

Forty minutes later, my siblings arrived at the shattered building. They fought their way through the debris to climb to the remains of the fifth floor, where they found my mother lying in a pool of blood, unconscious. Together, they carried her down to the street to a Red Cross dispatch. She was rushed west to one of Beirut’s remaining hospitals, where she underwent blood transfusions and eventually surgery. But it wasn’t enough. She never woke up. I can only pray that she didn’t suffer.

On Aug. 5, the sun rose with my despair. I had lost the most beautiful person in my life. My mother, my home and my

neighborhood lay silent under heaps of rubble. The city once nicknamed “the Paris of the East,” vaporized in one moment of unspeakable negligence. Its last chapter was written in blood. Twelve years ago, we said goodbye to our father. Now we say goodbye to our dear mother, “Zanzan,” and to Beirut.

All the dreams of our childhood are gone. My siblings, Nadine and Elie, are now alone. My father got me out, and now I must get them out. Lebanon has denied them their basic human rights. It has robbed them of their peace, their aspirations for the future, their home, and our mother. My mission now is to bring them here to be with me, so that they may have a chance for their lives to flourish again.

Nabih Elhajj is the executive director of iVenturED, an Illinois education nonprofit in entrepreneurship. He is the lead facilitator of the Sangamon CEO program, a year-long study of entrepreneurship for high school seniors in Sangamon County. He is an adjunct instructor at University of Illinois Springfield and a first-year Ph.D. candidate at Illinois State University. 

Top photo: From left, siblings Nadine, Elie and Nabih Elhajj, with their mother, Zeina, in her living room in Beirut in 2015. Bottom photo: The same living room from the same angle after the Aug. 4 explosion that killed Zeina.

8 | www.illinoistimes.com | August 20-26, 2020

NEWS

Once, large, beautiful homes stood all over Springfield and were occupied by citizens who owned key businesses and held important positions within the city. Unfortunately, many of the homes have been demolished. Yet some still stand, thanks to people who have preserved them. Daily, people pass by these grand buildings: the Brinkerhoff House (North Fifth, built in 1869), Governor Yates home (Washington Park – 1904), Hickox House (formerly the site of popular Springfield restaurant Norb Andy’s and now Anchors Away on Capitol – 1839), the Belle Miller Apartments (now the Inn at 835 on Second Street – 1909), and the Booth-Grunendike house (1870), now Obed and Isaac’s, along with the Isaac Lindsay home (1850s), moved to Seventh and Jackson, now William Van’s.

One that is not as easily seen is tucked away off Cherry Road on Willemore and Wiggins. This large, two-story rambling brick home was once the house that stood on Leland Farm, built sometime between 1853 and the mid-1860s. Surrounding it was a large farm owned by the Lelands and the Wigginses, two prominent families of Springfield. The Leland Farm was the site of picnics, receptions, parties and even fairs. Pictures of the house and the Leland and Wiggins families, as well as

descriptions of the many events that took place on the farm, filled newspaper articles from the late 1800s to the 1940s.

The Leland Farm covered over 600 acres, encompassing what is now Washington Park, Jerome and Leland Grove. Horace Leland came to Springfield in 1863. His brothers owned hotels in New York, Albany and Chicago. In Springfield, he, along with Col. Noble Bates Wiggins, managed the Leland Hotel at Sixth and Capitol. Wiggins was married to Horace’s sister, Clarissa.

Construction of the Leland Hotel began in 1864 and it opened in 1867. It cost $320,000 and for decades was the preeminent hotel in the city, hosting inaugural events and huge parties, housing entertainers and politicians, offering fine dining and the best in hotel amenities.

The Leland Farm provided much of the food served at the hotel. An 1880 Illinois State Register article listed the crops and animals: 70 acres of corn, 40 acres of oats, 7 acres of vegetables, and 70 acres of pasture, 2,500 grape vines, 200 hogs and 500 chickens. The hotel used 100 pounds of butter weekly, all churned at the farm.

Another family member who later became a prominent citizen of Springfield was Jerome Leland (1874-1937). He came to Springfield

while an infant after the death of his parents in New York. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Clarissa and Colonel Noble Bates Wiggins, who lived on the Leland Farm. An 1886 newspaper article pictures Clarissa and Col. Wiggins, their children Horace L. and Lewis Noble, as well as Jerome. Clarissa called Jerome her son, although he was never officially adopted.

Street names originated from the families that helped develop the area: Wiggins, Bates, Noble, Leland.

After Horace Leland died in 1889, Wiggins took over the hotel. The family often lived at the hotel and summered on the farm to escape the city heat. Wiggins died in 1901 and Clarissa and her children moved into the hotel, continuing to summer at the farm. Sons Horace and Lewis took over the hotel management until 1908, when a fire destroyed part of the hotel. (It was rebuilt and operated as a hotel until 1972. It is now the office of the Illinois Commerce Commission.) Both sons left Springfield soon after the fire.

Jerome Leland, Horace’s son, ran the farm and continued to host many events. A 1923 Memorial Day show sounds like an early state fair with displays of produce and animal judging. Prizes and ribbons were given for best in show.

Jerome Leland sold off lots around 1926. A portion sold in 1928 became the area now known as Jerome, incorporated March 18,

1939. He lived in the Leland Farm Home until 1942.

Langhorne Bond lived in the Leland Home during his time as the director of the Illinois Department of Transportation from 1973-1977. Appointed by Governor Dan Walker, he was instrumental in taking the agency from 21st in all 50 states to first in acquiring federal contracts. He went on to become the chief of the Federal Aviation Administration.

The house, which is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was owned by Al Eck who passed away in 2018. His widow sold the property in May to a neighbor, Frank Vala, a businessman who chairs the Springfield Airport Authority board. Brush and trees are being removed. Vala could not be reached for comment about his plans for the historic house.

Times have changed; today we drive down residential streets in Leland Grove and in Jerome, lined with many houses. It is hard to imagine the area of town being expansive farmland, populated with only a few homes. Luckily, we still have the Leland Home as a reminder of early days when many enjoyed outings on the farm.

Cinda Ackerman Klickna often writes about the people, places and events of Springfield’s history and loves to find out about old homes that still stand.

Life on the Old Leland Farm HISTORIC PRESERVATION | Cinda Ackerman Klickna

The Colonel Noble Bates Wiggins family in front of the Leland house, around 1886. COURTESY SANGAMON VALLEY COLLECTION, LINCOLN LIBRARY

The Leland Home, as it looks today. The historic house has a new owner.

August 20-26, 2020 | Illinois Times | 9

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John Freml never anticipated squaring off with the Springfield public school district over pajamas. Among the details to work out for the coming school year, District 186 updated its student handbook. Per the guidelines, students can’t wear pajamas during the school day, even when school is happening at home. “My first instinct was just how ridiculous it sounded,” said Freml.

Freml has a deep understanding that for some kids, life isn’t easy. “I’ve seen and heard some really heartbreaking things.” That includes what his own children have lived through. He and his husband adopted a son and daughter last year, after first fostering them. “A lot of kids in Springfield are going through similar or even worse than what my kids were going through before they came to live with us.”

While the talk of pajamas earlier in

August swiftly rotated out of the news cycle, the issue is indicative of the myriad ways the new coronavirus has brought up a host of contentious issues when it comes to the way students learn mid-pandemic. Families and school staff have sought clarity over the summer months as leadership has coordinated shifting plans. And teachers and staff have taken hundreds of questions to the administration demanding answers. For a district with more than than 30 schools, and some 14,000 students enrolled last year, there are no easy answers, and perhaps no great ones.

Plans are anything but uniform across the state. About 24% of the school districts who responded to an Illinois State Board of Education survey will offer remote learning to begin the school year, 30% will have in-person learning and 46% will offer a blended model.

In March, with short notice, all learning in Illinois went remote, or at-home, as a result of statewide mitigation efforts as COVID-19 began to spread. In Sangamon County, there have now been more than 1,500 confirmed cases. The county, as of the week of Aug. 2 through 8, was at a positivity rate of 6%. State officials have set a positivity rate of 8% for three or more days as the benchmark for when further restrictions should be implemented. For now, Sangamon County is in phase four of the state’s reopening plan, which allows for gatherings of 50 people or less and for schools to reopen. But opening schools has proven to be easier said than done in districts such as Springfield’s.

Return to LearnOn Aug. 3, the Springfield school board approved its “Return to Learn” plan, which

included models for both hybrid/blended and remote/at-home learning. The so-called “hybrid” model would have students in class some days of the week, while at home on others. Several working groups had begun to meet in spring to go over topics such as social and emotional wellness and human resources among other practicalities.

The superintendent was tasked with convening meetings and spearheading the plan. General info includes details about required face coverings, daily health screenings for staff and students, social distance and group sizes. In all, the document paints a picture of a new and different version of in-person learning: required health screenings, isolating and sending home students who do present symptoms, new ways to handle meals and recess, enhanced cleaning and a host of other new details.

FEATURE

PAINTING BY FELICIA OLIN

Schools shapeshiftFamilies adjust to ever-changing plans

EDUCATION | Rachel Otwell

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As the plan notes, the governor’s reopening strategy “strongly encourages” in-person instruction for the phase Sangamon County is currently in. The state plan also requires mitigation efforts such as those District 186 worked to compile. On July 21, registration for the coming school year opened. Families were told to choose whether they favored remote learning only, or a hybrid model instead. As of Aug. 12, nearly 12,000 students were registered, according to school board member Tiffany Mathis. Most had enrolled for the hybrid option, though it was a near-even split.

After much consideration, Freml, who has a kindergartner and a second-grader, chose the hybrid option. “I was really torn.” Freml said he and his husband consulted with others, including a speech therapist who works with Freml’s seven-year-old at the elementary school she attends. “The message that we got from those teachers we talked to is that they really wanted to be in-person. They really wanted to see our kids.” Freml felt the hybrid option was the best way to have his kids’ needs met. And he was comforted by those who promised safety.

At an Aug. 13 special meeting, the board decided not to begin the school year offering the hybrid option. Per the approved resolution, a select few may get to learn in-person based on needs, but for virtually everyone who registered for hybrid, that option is off the table for now, likely until at least Oct. 26. Even though he had chosen hybrid in July, it was a decision Freml was hoping the board would make. Before then, Freml said he had been second-guessing his choice “every moment of every day.” As cases of coronavirus began to rise in the county, so did his anxiety.

Part of Freml’s contention with the district’s plans for remote learning had to do with a focus on what kids wear while learning, and from where. Freml had wondered, what are

kids experiencing homelessess supposed to do? Where are they supposed to sit? How will their clothing or appearance be judged?

Summer experienceMost students in District 186 – 55% – come from low-income families. Of those, 1.3% are without a home, according to 2019 state data. Compass For Kids is a nonprofit organization to support at-risk students. It focuses on academic help and social and emotional well-being. Camp Compass, a summer program conducted in partnership with District 186, aims to help close the so-called achievement gap between low-income children and those from higher-earning families.

The summer program has been used as a touchstone to plan remote learning for the fall. This year, it provided remote summer school for elementary school-age children in the district. Molly Berendt, executive director, heads the programming. “We had to modify everything,” she said. Camp Compass prioritized both academics and enrichment, as well as social and emotional support. Lessons were broken into daily 90-minute sessions. Berendt said keeping students’ attention past the hour-mark could prove difficult.

What helped was changing up the order subjects were taught, and having two teachers per class. Class sizes were small. With the two teachers, kids could get one-on-one assistance when needed. “That helped the kids to feel like they were getting enough attention, and differentiated instruction.” Parents could choose between a morning or afternoon session for their children, flexibility that Berendt said was helpful for working families.

Berendt said another popular factor was enrichment kits that volunteers delivered to the children’s homes. They contained activities that they could do on their own time with recorded instructions. The activities included

Camp Compass went remote this summer. Students show off blankets they made as an enrichment activity during a lesson. CREDIT: COURTESY OF CAMP COMPASS

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FEATURE

cooking, science, art projects and more. About 250 students enrolled. Compass programming during the school year will remain remote for now. Berendt said she plans to continue using the enrichment kits, and found many methods used over the summer to be successful: the small class sizes of less than 10 students, 90-minute-long learning sessions and multiple teachers per class. “It was clear that the kids wanted to be there,” she said. Certain staff also served as parent liaisons to help families identify good spaces in the home for learning and to answer questions. The enrichment and social emotional components will continue to be prioritized this coming school year as well, said Berendt.

Safety firstWhile the governor had been clear about shutting down in-person classes across Illinois in spring when the pandemic was fresh and largely unknown, guidance for fall has been more fluid. The Illinois Department of Public Health released guidance on Aug. 12, after many districts had already decided on plans to begin the school year. The following Sunday, the Ball-Chatham district reconsidered its plan to offer a blended model of classes. School board members discussed how to possibly manage the new guidance. After hours of debate and two separate meetings, it chose on Aug. 17 to offer blended learning after all. The first day of school for students there is Aug. 24. Other area districts, such as in Auburn and Rochester, have chosen to begin remotely like Springfield.

In its new FAQ sheet, IDPH lists a number of possible COVID-19 symptoms, per the Centers for Disease Control: headache, fatigue, nausea and diarrhea among them. IDPH states those who present one or more symptoms while in school should be immediately isolated and evaluated. From there, consultation with a health care provider is needed and a coronavirus test is “strongly encouraged” before students can return in-person. The practicalities of addressing every headache and cough in underresourced schools has rung alarm bells.

On Aug. 1, a group of area school superintendents and health experts got together to discuss plans via Zoom. Illinois Times obtained related correspondence through a public records request. Topics included the county’s preparedness to handle higher rates of testing that many agree would be needed if school were back in session. When medical professionals in the conversation were asked to unofficially vote, nine said they were against reopening in coming weeks. Three, according to an email, were in favor. Dr. Vidya Sundareshan, an infectious disease specialist at SIU School

of Medicine, had said the county did not have adequate testing capacity for schools to reopen, according to records of the chat.

Sundareshan later told NPR Illinois that hundreds of tests were conducted daily in the county. But, “If a lot of children are sent back home we may not have that, we may need up to 1,500 tests a day. … We don’t know. But you definitely want to be prepared for a higher number.”

After the informal Zoom meeting, Sangamon County Department of Public Health released guidelines to members of the media. Apparently originating in July, they were last updated Aug. 6. A cover letter for the guidelines states, “Students, teachers and school staff are at considerable risk for contracting and spreading the virus, given the current rate of community transmission, whether or not schools are open. Therefore everyone in and around the school community must take steps to reduce this risk by wearing masks and maintaining social distances.” The letter doesn’t assert a position on whether schools should

reopen. “Our community’s dedicated education professionals are best positioned to judge whether, given their particular circumstances, their schools can fully comply with the medical guidelines we have provided. Local school boards and school administrators should use this guidance, along with parent and teacher input, to make their decisions.”

The 25-page county document also lists what should happen if students and staff present a single symptom, similar to the IDPH guidance. Flow charts show what to do if a student is symptomatic, as well as how schools should work with the health department when known cases have entered school buildings. Isolation, quarantine and contact tracing are all key components to a plan that allows students to reassemble.

When presented options on how to enroll her daughter who attends District 186 for the coming school year, Buffy Lael-Wolf, who works for Hospital Sisters Health System, chose remote-only. “It felt like the heaviest decision I was ever going to make for my child’s life,” she

said. When school had gone remote this past spring, her family made do. At the beginning, Wolf made detailed schedules for her daughter, but those quickly became untenable. Wolf has since reported back to the office for work and won’t be home during weekdays to help as much. She’s taking time off at the beginning of the school year to help her daughter, Nea, and husband who is a stay-at-home parent, set up a plan for fifth grade. Nea has autism and her own preference was clear. “I want to go back to school, Mom. I want to see my friends,” Wolf remembered Nea pleading.

But Wolf explained that school would not be what Nea remembered. There would be masks and distancing, likely no music class which she loved, and desks that faced the front of the room. All things that weren’t conducive to Nea’s learning style. And Wolf wanted to help reserve space for kids who maybe needed to be in-person even more. Still, said Wolf, “We really want her to be in the classroom.”

Information provided to District 186 by medical professionals included an article

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Some schools in Illinois, including those in Chatham, plan to have students return to the classroom this fall. PAINTING BY FELICIA OLIN

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in the The New England Journal of Medicine titled “Reopening Primary Schools during the Pandemic.” It states that whether or not to reopen schools is not only a scientific question, but a moral and emotional one. Those in education often see it as their duty to protect children at all costs. Meanwhile, schoolteachers are often undercompensated women who are expected to sacrifice themselves for that cause. “School closures have also brought social, economic and racial injustice into sharp relief, with historically marginalized children and families – and the educators who serve them – suffering the most and being offered the least. For all these reasons, decisions about school reopenings will remain complex and contested,” the article reads. The article states there should be no question that safe and reliable primary schools are crucial for society, and, “It is inexcusable to open nonessential services for adults this summer if it forces students to remain at home even part-time this fall.”

Sangamon County has indeed seen the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in a single day hit a record high in August. A regular source of spread is social gatherings, according to the county’s public health department director.

It’s clear that not everyone can be convinced to help stem the spread of the coronavirus. The

president himself has at times downplayed the need to do so, and has neglected to provide comprehensive support to states. The pandemic has become political. And kids are among those paying the price.

Who cares?Kelsey Pedigo lives in Chatham with her husband. He does landscaping, she’s a medical coder who works from home. They have a blended family. Pedigo’s five-year-old, Rocky, is a quiet kid. Adult-style haircut. Clean clothes. Super well-behaved. Wears a mask with little complaint. Still, when it came time to enroll him for kindergarten, Pedigo couldn’t imagine having him start in the classroom just yet. Rocky has asthma. And while he’s an abnormally well-behaved five-year-old, social distance and hours of mask-wearing seemed unrealistic.

“We just felt like school was a little bit too much exposure, a little bit too high-risk for our family,” said Pedigo. Upon finding out that school is not required by the state for kids under six years old, she decided she and her family would go rogue. Pedigo’s mother is retired and can help with schooling and provide child care while she works. “I know that not everybody can do that,” said Pedigo. But, she figures, if one less kid in the classroom helps a teacher

feel safer, “I’m going to support him or her and do that.” Unlike others with remote schooling, Pedigo is truly undertaking homeschool, where she will be responsible for the curriculum and making sure Rocky is hitting age-appropropriate targets.

District 186 board member Tiffany Mathis is CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois, which provides summer care for at-risk children. This year, masks were worn and other mitigation efforts were in effect. No one associated with programming was confirmed to have had COVID-19 during that time, as she told the mayor during one of his public Zoom meetings on Aug. 12. At the meeting she was joined by principals of private schools in Springfield, such as Little Flower Catholic School and Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, which have opened their doors to students. Mathis has been a proponent of offering in-person options for students, especially those whose parents have little-to-no other options for their care.

The Boys and Girls Clubs operate nine sites in Springfield, and provide after-school programming to eight schools. In March, the programming was no longer offered in-person due to the stay-at-home mandates. “As the summer months started to emerge and day cares

were reopening and we were moving through the phases, there was an immensely large cry out because day cares were serving at half their capacity. So you had a lot of people who had no summer options for their school-aged kids,” said Mathis. She said the clubs will reopen to provide in-person care during working hours this coming school year. The nonprofit can serve as many as 1,300 kids a day in a regular year. “The main barrier for us is going to be accessing enough funding,” said Mathis. She said additional funds could be used on alternative sites that have enough space to socially distance.

Child care is clearly a major concern going forward. Schools aren’t day cares. But they do happen to serve in that function for many working families. Elizabeth Powers is an economics professor at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a member of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs who has researched the effects of the pandemic on child care. “The new world with COVID and social distancing has pretty dramatically reduced the number of children they’re (child care centers) able to care for at one time,” sad Powers. “Capacity reductions in Illinois, for example, range from 25% to a third, depending on the age group of the children.”

Powers said this has economic impacts, and

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FEATURE

women often lose out the most when it comes to earnings. Women have historically been the ones to look after children. Child care centers made their entry into the workforce possible. Now, with the pandemic, “Different types of women with different types of jobs are facing severe disruptions in their work life and their ability to earn, due to child care issues.”

It’s a planSchool board meetings had been tense over the past month. Public comment periods have been full of staff and parents pleading their cases. During the special District 186 board meeting Aug. 13 to discuss whether to begin the school year remotely, Allison Acker, an elementary school teacher, spoke in favor of a hybrid option. She said she’s not alone, and that teachers “were playing rock, paper, scissors or flipping a coin to decide who has to be a remote teacher. We don’t want it. No plans have been made to divvy out this position.” Acker said, “Those of us who struggle with technology have not been adequately prepared for this.” The superintendent has said teachers are being trained on how to use the required technology and software.

Tammy Ziemba-Montavon, a middle school teacher and COVID-19 survivor, told the board in July she still has lasting effects from the illness. “I have no idea the damage to my lungs and if it will heal anytime soon.” She

reiterated what researchers have found, that the virus is not always detectable by temperature or symptom screenings. “Stopping the virus at the bus stop or school door will be difficult,” she warned.

The teachers union had sent in several hundred questions to leadership, many of them heart-wrenching. Would the district help teachers who head back to the classroom create wills? What compensation could families expect in case of death?

At the most recent school board meeting on Aug. 18, Superintendent Jennifer Gill discussed plans and details such as meal distribution, which will continue to be available for district students throughout the year. Same as spring, every student who requests a device for learning will receive a tablet or Chromebook, she said. Internet hot-spots will be available. Students will log in for five-hour-long days, starting at a regular morning time. Three days a week will be independent learning, the other two will come with direct instruction. Information is on the district’s website and communicated with families in a variety of ways.

Shelia Boozer, director of teaching and learning, followed Gill’s discussion of the latest plans with, “Thank you for trusting us. We do know that spring was not the best, but we did what we could. We heard the voices of our staff, our families and our students of what they needed to make this more robust and rigorous so that learning can continue.” Undoubtedly, more plans will come as students and staff continue to shift to accommodate a global pandemic.

Contact Rachel Otwell at rotwell@illinoistimes.com.

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Kelsey and Nick Pedigo will be teachers for their son Rocky this year, as they chose not to enroll him in school. CREDIT: RACHEL OTWELL

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Step #1 – Nominate from August 13 – August 24Tell us who your favorites are in this write-in portion of the Best of Springfield nomination process. There’s a myriad of amazing people and places in our community, and a write-in ballot levels the playing field for them all. The categories are set, so all you have to do is tell us about your favorites. The nomination period begins Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 8 a.m. and ends on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Paper write-in ballots must be received in our office by 5 a.m. Monday, August 24, 2020. You must nominate your favorites in at least 20 categories for your ballot to be counted. If you vote by paper ballot, be sure to complete the contact info and send all three ballot pages to this address. Incomplete or unreadable ballots will not be counted.

Step #2 – Come back and vote in the runoffSeptember 17 – September 28 as we announce Illinois Times readers’ top choices astheir favorites in all categories.

We’ll tally up the readers’ nomination results, make sure the top choices actually qualify for the category and develop a final ballot for voting and announce Illinois Times readers’ top choices as their favorites in all categories. The final ballot will include up to five nominees per category. The voting period begins Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 8 p.m. and ends on Monday, September 28, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Winners chosen by our readers will be announced in the BEST OF SPRINGFIELD 2020 results issue on Thursday, October 29. The date for the Best of Springfield Party at the BOS Center has yet to be determined.

First nameLast nameBirth date*

AddressCityState_______ Zip__________

PhoneEmail

If you vote by paper ballot, be sure to complete the contact info and send all three ballot pages to:

1240 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703Vote online at illinoistimes.com/bestofspringfieldPaper ballots must be received by 5 pm Monday, August 24, 2020.*Gets you signed up for the Birthday Club promotion.

VOTING RULESWe love local: Keep it local and vote local when possible.

VOTE ONLINE AT illinoistimes.com/bestofspringfieldARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENTPlace to go downtown__________________________Public art/mural (intersections)__________________________Visual artist__________________________Place to buy local art__________________________Art studio/gallery__________________________Museum__________________________Charity event__________________________Camp for kids__________________________Local sports team__________________________Abraham Lincoln historic site__________________________Tourist spot in Springfield not related to Abraham Lincoln__________________________Free entertainment__________________________Food festival__________________________Family attraction__________________________Place to see a play or musical__________________________Theater production__________________________Director of local theater__________________________Live theater performance - male lead__________________________Live theater performance - female lead__________________________Songwriter__________________________Vocalist female__________________________Vocalist male__________________________Original music band__________________________Cover music band__________________________Overall band & their genre__________________________Drummer__________________________Horn player__________________________Bass player__________________________Keyboardist__________________________

Guitarist__________________________Choral group__________________________Club DJ & name of club__________________________Live music venue - large__________________________Live music venue - small__________________________Music festival__________________________Place for karaoke__________________________Springfield area comedian__________________________Drive-time radio show name and station__________________________Radio personality or team name and station__________________________Local living author__________________________

FOOD & DRINKBakery__________________________Dessert or sweets shop__________________________BBQ__________________________Breakfast__________________________Burger__________________________Bartender & location name__________________________Server & location__________________________Specialty cocktail & location name__________________________Chili__________________________Chinese__________________________Coffee house__________________________Donut shop__________________________Fine dining__________________________Place for curbside or takeout__________________________Food truck__________________________Gyro__________________________Horseshoe__________________________Ice Cream/Froyo__________________________

Healthy menu options__________________________Italian__________________________Kid-friendly restaurant__________________________Mexican__________________________New bar (opened after 8/1/19)__________________________New restaurant (opened after 8/1/19)__________________________Outdoor dining (temporary)__________________________Outdoor dining (permanent)__________________________Pizza__________________________Romantic dinner__________________________Seafood__________________________Soul food__________________________Steakhouse__________________________Sub/Sandwich__________________________Sushi__________________________Tacos__________________________Salsa__________________________Thai__________________________Wedding cakes__________________________Beer garden__________________________Beer selection (on tap)__________________________Local brewery__________________________Winery__________________________Wings__________________________Wine bar__________________________Diner__________________________Overall restaurant__________________________Chef & restaurant name__________________________Late-night eats & location__________________________Fried chicken__________________________Catfish__________________________

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Best OfBallotContinued...

GOODS & SERVICESBank__________________________Mortgage lender & name of institution__________________________Credit union__________________________Electrical company__________________________Financial advisor & name of institution__________________________Law firm__________________________Insurance independent agent & agency__________________________Insurance agency & agent national__________________________New business downtown (opened after 8/1/19)__________________________New business not downtown (opened after 8/1/19)__________________________Photographer__________________________Wedding venue - indoor__________________________Wedding venue - outdoor__________________________Antique/Vintage store__________________________Barber shop__________________________Barber (name of location)__________________________Hair salon__________________________Hair stylist (name of location)__________________________Bike shop__________________________Meat market__________________________Car detailing__________________________Car wash__________________________Catering company__________________________Children’s clothing store__________________________Clothing boutique__________________________Retail shop__________________________Thrift store__________________________Consignment & resale store__________________________Event rental company__________________________Flower shop__________________________Funeral home__________________________Grocery store__________________________Home remodeling company__________________________New home builder__________________________Place to buy home furnishings__________________________Windows, siding and doors__________________________

Roofing company__________________________Place to buy paint__________________________Place to buy a mattress__________________________Home theater equipment__________________________AC/Heating company__________________________Jewelry store__________________________Place to feed the slots__________________________Garden center__________________________Landscape company__________________________Landscape designer__________________________Landscape supply__________________________Liquor store__________________________Convenience store__________________________New car dealer__________________________Pre-owned car dealer__________________________Car salesperson & name of dealer__________________________Glass company__________________________Pawn shop__________________________Veterinary clinic__________________________Pet boarding__________________________Pet retail store__________________________Pet grooming__________________________Music shop__________________________Real estate agency__________________________Realtor & name of agency__________________________Place to buy seafood__________________________Retail wine store__________________________Pest control company__________________________Plumbing company__________________________Tire shop__________________________Auto service center__________________________Collision center__________________________Vape shop__________________________Bookstore, used__________________________Place to buy a gift

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LIFE & WELLNESSChiropractor (name of clinic)__________________________Family fun spot__________________________Dentist & name of dental office__________________________Doctor & practice name__________________________Massage therapist & spa name__________________________

Nurse & practice name__________________________Audiologist and hearing center__________________________Personal trainer__________________________Daycare__________________________Pediatrics center__________________________Gym or fitness center__________________________Health food retail store__________________________Continuing education__________________________Medical facility__________________________Nail salon__________________________Place to buy eyewear__________________________Independent living community__________________________Assisted living community__________________________Apartment community__________________________Tattoo shop__________________________Yoga studio__________________________Dance studio__________________________Holistic health center__________________________Women’s healthcare center__________________________Plastic surgery center__________________________Medical spa (Botox, filler, etc.)__________________________Spa (no injections used)__________________________Esthetician__________________________

CIVIC ENGAGEMENTClergyperson__________________________City official__________________________County official__________________________Unsung hero__________________________Up-and-coming leader__________________________Place to volunteer__________________________Children’s support organization__________________________Nonprofit assisting during the pandemic__________________________Business giving back during the pandemic__________________________Use of public money__________________________Best affirmation that Black Lives Matter__________________________

CANNABISCannabis strain__________________________Edible product_________________________Health and beauty cannabis-infused product__________________________Place to buy accessories for cannabis use__________________________Place to buy CBD products__________________________

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FOOD

Eggplant, Sicilian-styleCaponata, a cooked salad with interesting ingredients

FOOD | Ashley Meyer

Caponata is one of my favorite ways to use the abundance of eggplant that comes out of my garden each year, and works especially well with the little Fairytale eggplants often seen at farmers markets. This tangy cooked salad is found throughout Sicily and much of Italy, with as many variations as there are grandmas. It can be used as a condiment, an antipasto served on crostini, a filling for a killer sandwich or even a pasta sauce. Caponata’s unique ingredient list is a nod to Sicily’s history as a bountiful island caught in the crossroads of global conquest. Cacao was brought to Europe by the conquistadors, was kept secret from the rest of Europe for more than a century and was regarded as liquid gold by the Spanish nobility. While Sicily was under Spanish rule, ingredients like cocoa and cinnamon made their way into Sicilian cuisine, adding richness and depth to meat dishes such as braised fowl or roast pork, as well as sweeter vegetables like eggplant. Similar to ratatouille but brighter and more intense, caponata freezes well and makes for a surprising addition to a winter cheeseboard.

Eggplant is a celebrated ingredient throughout much of the world, showing up in dishes throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean coast. For years most Americans were familiar only with standard issue Italian varieties like the Black Beauty eggplants that my great-grandfather grew on his truck farm decades ago. Thanks to curious chefs, enterprising farmers and dedicated seed savers, folks are now able to find an increasingly varied selection at local farms and markets. Ranging in color from white to jet black to neon purple and green to white to orange-red, eggplant is low in calories, rich in fiber and nutrients and can be prepared in a myriad of ways.

Although typically regarded as a vegetable in culinary terms, the eggplants that we eat today are technically a berry, domesticated in Asia centuries ago from wild nightshade. Many people seem to have strong feelings about eggplant, and those who object to it often cite bitterness and/or greasiness. For many their relationship with this cosmopolitan fruit ended with their first bite of a thoughtlessly prepared eggplant Parmesan, teeth tearing through tough, bitter skin and oil dripping out of each bite. Eggplant does have an incredible

ability to soak up oil like a sponge, so if not prepared mindfully it’s easy to end up with an unbalanced dish.

The skin on eggplant is completely edible and does not need to be removed. Due to its relationship to the often toxic nightshade family, generations of cooks were advised to peel eggplant before preparing, as this was thought to remove unhealthy compounds in the skin (much like you would avoid eating green potato skin, also a member of the nightshade family). Not only is the skin perfectly safe to eat, it’s filled with fiber and powerful antioxidants. If you find yourself with an older eggplant with tough skin (which includes most out-of-season eggplant bought in supermarkets) then you many want to peel it. The easiest way to make sure you don’t end up with a tough, bitter eggplant is to only buy them when they’re fresh and in season. Look for firm young fruits with bright, shiny skin. Ideally, eggplant should be stored at room temperature and used within a couple of

days. It will keep for a week in the fridge, wrapped in a paper towel in a zip-close bag, but too long in the fridge will compromise flavor and texture.

Caponata ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 large Spanish onion, cut in ½-inch dice 2 cloves garlic, sliced thin1 cup sliced celery 2 medium eggplant, cut into ½-inch cubes (about 4 cups) ¼ cup currants or raisins (regular or golden) ½ tsp to 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, to taste (I like mine pretty hot.) 1 heaping teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cups sliced cherry tomatoes (diced regular tomatoes are fine too) 1 tablespoon sugar ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons capers, rinsed 1 spring fresh thyme, or ½ teaspoon dried thyme

¼ cup chopped parsley ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or almonds

Heat the olive oil in a large non-reactive skillet over medium high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion, garlic, celery and eggplant. Season with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring frequently until the vegetables begin to soften, about five minutes. Add the currants or raisins, red pepper flakes, cocoa powder, cinnamon and stir to combine. Add the sliced cherry tomatoes, sugar, thyme and capers. Continue to cook until the tomatoes begin to release their juices and become saucy. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and sugar as needed. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature before finishing with the chopped parsley and nuts. The flavor of caponata improves overnight in the fridge and it will keep in the fridge for up to a week. If planning to make ahead and freeze, leave out the nuts and add them after thawing.

20 | www.illinoistimes.com | August 20-26, 2020

As we roll into what would have been the second weekend of the Illinois State Fair for 2020 we can attempt to accept and amply appreciate what the global pandemic from COVID-19 has done to our lives and lifestyle. Our “Not Fair” statement from last week still applies on many levels as we continue to com-prehend the issues at hand. First, let’s give our best to those directly affected by the bad bug, whether on the frontlines working or from actual interactions, knowing that the thing is real and here to stay. Many musicians I know are still live streaming or only playing outside, properly distanced gigs, and those are mostly solo or duo performances. The larger outdoor venues are doing what they can do, hosting bands when safely able and on we go through the uncharted waters of these crazy times.

Mike “Mikey” Austin, a well-known and respected figure on the local scene through booking bands at Mikey’s Entertainment and other cool stuff, is currently fighting the battle of his life against Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He just found out the diagnosis ear-lier in the month and is tackling it head-on, as he does all things. Please donate to his Go-FundMe page and send words of support and caring. Also visit the Friends of Mikey Austin Cancer Sucks Benefit Ride on Facebook for information on a Saturday, Sept. 12, event in his hometown of Pawnee. Yes, Mike, cancer sure sucks -- big time, all the time. We are here for you.

Thursday night, Johnny Lawhorn & the Pentagram String Band cuts loose in front of Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., boasting a lineup of banjo, mandolin, stand-up bass, wash-board and hillbilly harmonies for a perfor-mance described as “intense and lovesick”

and based on “carnage and consequence,” which makes a visit to see how an act lives up to those words imperative.

Weebles, located not far from the state fairgrounds on Peoria Road and Route 66, began hosting their NorthEnd State Fair Music Fest last week and continues on with live music by Brushville rocking the country on Thursday, Brandy Kristin & The Revival livening up the world on Friday and those lovable Sleeping Dogzz rolling over to rock your socks off on Saturday.

The Main Gate Bar & Grill, which is not surprisingly located right across the street from the main gate of the state fairgrounds, is doing their very best to keep the fair feeling going with Hat Trick pulling no punches on Friday and the tribute band, Killer of Giants, heading to the frightful land of Ozzy on Saturday.

I’d like to take a moment to congratulate me, myself and I on my Illinois Times 20th anniversary this week, which happens to be near our Aug. 20, 2020 issue, so that’s rather neat. Sometime in the middle of August 2000, Bill Furry, IT editor at the time, asked me to take over the Now Playing column. Since then, I’ve only missed three or four columns in 20 years, which I guess adds up to some 1,000 articles of stuff about the Springfield music scene. I am very proud to be a part of it all, as a working musician and also a cheerleader commentator, which is how I see my job as a freelance contributor at IT. I am not a critic, nor do I aspire to be. I really just want to let folks know what we got going on here in the happenings of our fairly fine community so the music can be heard and appreciated. Take care of each other and let’s go enjoy the music.

It’s still not fairNOW PLAYING | Tom Irwin

MUSIC

Johnny Lawhorn and the Pentagram String Band play on Adams Street in front of Buzz Bomb Brewing Co. this Thursday night.

August 20-26, 2020 | Illinois Times | 21

The Get DownGarage II Tavern, Edinburg, 8pm

Taylor June AcousticLocals Bar, Pawnee, 7-10pm

Killer of Giants Ozzy TributeMain Gate Bar & Grill, 6-10pm

Baaad BoyzMariah’s Steakhouse & Pasta, 7:30-10:30pm

70s Solo Acoustic ShowRoute 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum, 6-9pm

Positively 4th StreetSheedy Shores Winery, Loami, 4-7pm

The Mud BugsSpringfield Motor Boat Club, 6:30pm

Mississippi LeghoundThe Stadium Bar and Grill, 7:30pm

SundayAug 23Buckhart Road3Sixteen Wine Bar, Chatham, 4-7pm

Mike Burnett and the After SunsRoute 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum, 3-6pm

After School SpecialSheedy Shores Winery, Loami, 2-5pm

Curt SmithSlauterhouse Brewing Co., Auburn, 2-5pm

MondayAug 24

Dave LumsdenThe Alamo, 7pm

TuesdayAug 25Tom’s Turtle Tank TuesdaysFacebook with Tom Irwin, 8:30pm

Open mic with Jeff CordesGeorge Rank’s, 7:30-10pm

WednesdayAug 26Rick and TomFacebook with Tom Irwin, 7:30pm

Al KitchenRoute 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum, 6-9pm

Open mic with Tom and GeoffTrails End Saloon, Curran, 7:30-10pm

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Solar Chariot Here comes a band blazing across the Springfield scene horizon, leaving a trail of rocking good jams and intensely produced

original songs all for your listening pleasure. Solar Chariot is the vehicle for fired-up working musicians and performing songwriters Nate Cozadd and Josie Lowder, showcasing a potluck of their original songs cooked up to the boiling point. The live band includes Nate and Josie on guitars and vocals backed by the killer team of Mike Newberry on drums and Jeff Cunningham on bass. This gig is also a CD release celebration for a self-titled debut album from SoCh, recorded at Waterfront Recording Studio with Camron Yates and featuring stellar area musicians Steve Correll (drums), Chris Miller (keys) and David Alexander (sax) with Josie covering bass and Nate doing guitar. Using Mr. Cozadd’s fine description of the band sound as “multi-genre original music with rock/funk/reggae/dance/r&b/jam/jazz” as the most compelling and complete analysis available, let’s just go from there and leave it at that.

Solar ChariotSaturday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.

Danenberger Family Vineyards

ThursdayAug 20

Johnny Lawhorn & the Pentagram String Band

Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., 8-10pm

FridayAug 21Jambalaya Jazz with Frank ParkerBuzz Bomb Brewing Co., 7-10pm

70s Solo Acoustic ShowCasa Real Cocina Mexicana, 6-9pm

Love of LennonCrows Mill Pub, 6:30pm

Jeff Young and the Bad Grandpa’sLocals Bar, Pawnee, 6:30-9:30pm

Hat TrickMain Gate Bar & Grill, 6-10pm

Joel HoneyRoute 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum, 8-11pm

Brandy Kristin and the RevivalWeebles Bar & Grill, 6:30pm

SaturdayAug 22Tulo & EadsBoar’s Nest, Athens, 6-9pm

After School SpecialConi’s Pub, 4-8pm

Joel HoneyCopperheads, Pawnee, 7-10pm

Wreckless WhiskeyCrows Mill Pub, 6:30pm

Take a Break with Cowboy RandyFacebook with Randy Erwin, 8-9pm

LIVE MUSICLive music within 40 miles of Springfield.

Dates, times and locations are subject to change, so we suggest calling before attending an event. Attention bands, bars and musicians: submit your shows and photos online atwww.illinoistimes.com or by emailcalendar@illinoistimes.com.

22 | www.illinoistimes.com | August 20-26, 2020

THE CALENDAR

Special Music Events

METALLICASat., Aug. 29, 9pm. Presented by Encore Drive-In Nights. Route 66 Twin Drive-In, 1700 Recreation Dr., 217-698-0066 or 217-546-8881. $115 per car with up to six people.

Songs for a New WorldAug. 21-23, 7pm. The

first musical from Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the

choices that we make. Presented by the Hoogland Center for the Arts. hcfta.org. $20-$30. Online.

Thematic Summer ConcertWednesdays, 6:30pm through Aug. 26. Enjoy a virtual date night or family night with a live-streamed Carillon Thematic Summer Concert. To watch the concerts, visit the carillon’s Facebook page. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-3853.

Books & Authors

All Booked Up virtual book clubMon., Aug. 24, 7-8pm. The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams. Digital copies available through hoopla, Library on the Go and cloudLibrary. A limited number of regular and large-print copies and CD copies are available at the library. chathamlib.org. Free.

Registration required. 217-483-2713.

Theater & Comedy

Comedian Brian HicksSat., Aug. 22, 8-9:30pm. One of Chicago’s most popular stand-up comics. mclimits.com. $12.50. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, Mason City, 114 E. Chestnut St., 217-482-5233.

Socially distanced live comedy nightThu., Aug. 20, 6:30pm. Featuring Richard Bailey, Kyle Fields, Al Nimpson, Rosa Speaker and Josh Freeman. Bring a lawn chair. Lake Springfield Marina, 17 Waters Edge Blvd., 483-3625.

Uncle Larry ReebFri., Aug. 28, 8-9:30pm and Sat., Aug. 29, 8-9:30pm. The wise-cracking black sheep, politically

incorrect relative everyone knows. mclimits.com. $17.50. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, Mason City, 114 E. Chestnut St., 217-482-5233.

Art & Architecture

Images of Lincoln Memorial Garden photography contestContest categories include living creatures, wildflowers, landscapes and photos of people celebrating life at Lincoln Memorial Gardens. Submissions are due by Aug. 28. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-529-1111.

“Jazz in June”The exhibition continues every Saturday, 12-4 p.m. through Sep. 26. It includes the work of over 20 local artists, plus Neil Shapiro of Chicago. Masks are required. Free. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 623 E. Adams St., 801-810-9278.

“Psychedelia”Sat., Aug. 22, 12pm. Dim Art House is offering a virtual live walk through. An art talk will will follow at 1 p.m. Check the Facebook page for more info. Dim Art House, 1613 S. MacArthur Blvd.

Visitor Guide Cover Art Gallery Show

Through Oct. 15. Located in the Old State Capitol, this gallery show features artwork submitted in the Illinois Times Visitor Guide Cover Art Contest. Entry to the site is at scheduled times only. Call the site or visit the website to schedule your visit. historicspringfield.dnr.illinois.gov. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-7960.

Film & Television

Batman ReturnsThrough Aug. 20, 8:30pm. On Screen 1. Rated PG 13. Route 66 Twin Drive-In, 1700 Recreation Dr., 217-698-0066 or 217-546-8881.

Bohemian RhapsodyThrough Aug. 20, 8:45pm. On Screen 2. Rated PG 13. Route 66 Twin Drive-In, 1700 Recreation Dr., 217-698-0066 or 217-546-8881.

The Dark KnightThrough Aug. 20, 10:50pm. On Screen 1. Rated PG 13. Route 66 Twin Drive-In, 1700 Recreation Dr., 217-698-0066 or 217-546-8881.

School of RockThrough Aug. 20, 11:15pm. On Screen 2. Rated PG 13. Route 66 Twin Drive-In, 1700 Recreation Dr.,

217-698-0066 or 217-546-8881.

Food & Drink

217 Fair Food WeekThrough Aug. 23. Participating restaurants include Blue Margaritas Mexican Bar & Grill, Boones Saloon, D’Arcy’s Pint, Fox Run Restaurant & Lounge, Gyros Stop, Main Gate Bar & Grill, Springfield Carriage Co. Taqueria el Pollo, Sno Bizz and Curve Inn. 217-753-2226.

Illinois Products Farmers MarketThursdays, 4pm. The market will be following all COVID-19 guidelines set forth by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Farmer’s Market Association. Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Shed, 801 Sangamon Ave., 217-524-9129.

Old Capitol Farmers MarketWednesdays and Saturdays, 8am-1pm. Shop for fresh local produce, baked good and products, but please note the new social distancing guidelines including mandatory masks. Old Capitol Farmers Market, Fourth and Adams streets, 217-544-1723.

Children’s Corner

Junior Historians Behind the Scenes

Thu., Aug. 20, 2pm. Find out what happens behind the “Staff Only” doors at ALPLM. The staff will walk you through spaces where usually only they can visit, show you cool things and answer your questions. Visit the website for the Zoom link. alplm.org. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

Bulletin Board

APL Pet AdoptionsSaturdays, 11am-4pm and Sundays, 12-4pm. All animals will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and will have received all age-appropriate vaccinations by the time of their adoption. apl-shelter.org. PetSmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy., 217-544-7387.

The Greater Springfield Chamber Job Fair

Thu., Aug. 20, 4-6pm. Talk with employers from a variety of industries including medical, management, administrative, IT, sales and education. Masks will be required and social distancing expected. 217-525-1173. gscc.org. Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy., 217-529-7777.

Grief and BereavementFri., Aug. 21, 1-2pm. Learn the stages of grief and how the bereavement process can be applied in an effective manner. Hosted by Memorial Health System. Email Bobell.Julie@mhsil.com to register. Online, community engagement.

Springfield Cruise In Lot NightSat., Aug. 29, 7pm. A monthly car meet. Show up, follow the rules, be respectful to others, make friends and have fun being around other gearheads. Masks are welcome if you choose to wear one. Ace Hardware, 1600 Wabash Ave., 217-787-5100.

Voter registration and COVID-19 testingSat., Aug. 29, 12-4pm. Masks are required. Your temperature will be taken and social distancing will be enforced. Please bring two forms of identification to register to vote. Springfield and Central Illinois African-American History Museum, 1440 Monument Ave., 217-391-6323.

Dog Days of SummerSun., Aug. 23, 1-8pm. First come, first served free Spent Grain Dog Treats, hot dogs from Cafe Moxo (1-3pm) and bottled water from The Elf Shelf and Reverie Apparel. Dog caricature portraits (2-5pm). Friends of Sangamon County Animal Control will be on site with info on adopting a new best friend. Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., 406 E. Adams St.

Health

Effective Communication StrategiesThu., Aug. 20, 12-1pm. Explore how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer’s to help you connect and communicate at each stage of the disease. Free. Registration required by phone or online. 1-800-272-3900.

Living with Alzheimer’s for Care Partners seriesWed., Aug. 26, 12-1:30pm. Part one of a three-part series. Learn helpful strategies to provide safe, effective and comfortable care in the middle stage of Alzheimer’s. alz.org. Online, 1-800-272-3900.

Understanding Alzheimer’s and DementiaTue., Aug. 25, 4-5pm. Learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s, the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research and treatments available and resources. alz.org. Free. Registration required by phone. Online, 1-800-272-3900.

NATURE | Photography contest

The deadline for submissions to Lincoln Memorial Garden’s photography contest is approaching, but you still have time

to visit the garden to capture an image which you believe best reveals its essence. Lincoln Memorial Garden is a woodland and prairie landscape with which Abraham Lincoln would have been familiar while growing up in the Midwest. It contains plants that are native to the three states where he lived – Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. Designed by internationally known landscape architect Jens Jensen, the 100-acre site features six miles of trails, footbridges, a pond, eight stone council rings and dozens of wooden benches inscribed with Lincoln quotations. The garden attracts thousands of visitors each year, including birdwatchers, photographers, artists, nature enthusiasts and schoolchildren. You can submit up to 10 photographs in any of the categories of living creatures, wildflowers, landscapes and people celebrating life at the garden. Visit the website at lincolnmemorialgarden.org for contest rules and submission guidelines.

Images of Lincoln Memorial Garden

Through Friday, Aug. 28, 5 p.m.

Lincoln Memorial Garden2301 E. Lake Shore Drive

217-529-111

THE CALENDARSend us your events! Deadline: 5pm Fri. Submit online at: www.illinoistimes.com. Email: calendar@illinoistimes.com Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending events.

August 20-26, 2020 | Illinois Times | 23

Real Estate Foreclosure

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY - SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOISBank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as Trustee for Mortgage Assets Management Series I Trust, PLAINTIFFVs.Glen E. Tuxhorn Jr. as Independent Administrator; et. al., DEFENDANTS2020CH000030NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE OF REAL ESTATEPUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 07/22/2020, the Sheriff of Sangamon County, Illinois will on September 22, 2020 at the hour of 9:00 AM at in the Second Floor Boardroom of the San-gamon County Courthouse 200 South 9th Street Springfield, IL 62701, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale, County of Sangamon and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate:PIN 22-10.0-430-013; 22-10.0-430-012Improved with ResidentialCOMMONLY KNOWN AS: 2918 S Wood-ward St Springfield, IL 62703Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condo-minium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).If the property is located in a common interest community, purchasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Con-firmation of the sale. The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.The property will NOT be open for inspec-tion and Plaintiff makes no representa-tion as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all informa-tion.IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOME-OWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSES-SION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE

FORECLOSURE LAW.For information: Examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876. Please refer to file number 14-19-11306.I3153832

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISPNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, v.CYNTHIA SUTHERIN AS SPECIAL REPRE-SENTATIVE FOR DANIEL M. DAUBACH; HELEN DAUBACH; SHERRI LAYENDECKER, MICHAEL HINTON, GUY DAUBACH, TERRY HINTON, UNKNOWN HEIRS OF DANIEL M. DAUBACH; UNKNOWN OWNERS; AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendant(s). Residential Mortgage ForeclosureCase No.: 2019CH000359Property Address:112 S. Wesley St. Springfield, IL 62703NOTICE OF SALEPUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 08/05/2020, The Sheriff of Sangamon County, Illinois, will at 9:00AM on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020, at the Sangamon County Courthouse, located at 200 South Ninth St., Springfield, IL 62701 in the 2nd floor in the County Board Room, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 112 S. Wesley St., Springfield, IL 62703 PERMANENT INDEX NO.: 14-36-102-007The real estate is improved with a single family residence.The Judgment amount is $26,410.39.Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Sangamon County Sher-iff’s Office. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgage, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representa-tion as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.The property will NOT be open for inspec-tion and plaintiff makes no representa-tion as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all informa-tion.If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees re-quired by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condo-minium Property Act, 765 ILCS

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24 | www.illinoistimes.com | August 20-26, 2020

CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISESTATE OF MARY C. FIFER DECEASED. NO. 2019-P-353CLAIM NOTICENotice is given of the death of Mary C. Fifer. Letters of Office were issued on July 9, 2019, to John Fifer, 2960 Westborough Dr., St. Charles, MO, 63301, as Independent Administrator, whose attorney is Steven D. Draper, Draper P.C., 114 E. Walnut Street, P.O. Box 453, Chatham, Illinois, 62629.Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Court, San-gamon County Courthouse, 200 South Ninth Street, Springfield, Illinois, 62701, or with the representative, or both on or before February 6, 2021, which is not less than six months from the date of the first publication of this notice, or three months from the date the representative mailed or delivered a Notice to Creditor, whichever is later. Any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To efile, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit http://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/service-providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visithttp://www.illinois-courts.gov/FAQ/gethelp.asp or talk with your local circuit clerk’s office.Dated this 6th day of August, 2020. Name: Steven D. DraperAttorney for AdministratorAddress: Draper P.C.114 E. Walnut StreetP.O. Box 453 Chatham, IL 62629 217-483-8561

IN THE CIRCUIT COURTOF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF KAY L. MacKENZIE, Deceased. Case No. 2020 - P - 339CLAIM NOTICENotice is given of the death of KAY L. MacKENZIE. Letters of office were issued on July 8, 2020 to DAVID B. MacKENZIE, JOHN W. MacKENZIE, and BRIAN D. MacKENZIE, 2709 Arrowhead Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62702, as In-dependent Co Executors, whose attorney is JOSEPH E. MCMENAMIN, 212 South Second Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701.Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the clerk of the court, San-gamon County Courthouse, Springfield, Illinois 62701, or with the representative, or both, within six months from the date of the first publication of this notice. Any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed. . .JOSEPH E. MCMENAMINAttorney for Estate212 South Second StreetSpringfield, Illinois 62701217-528-2870mcmen732@aol.com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN RE THE ESTATE OF TERRY ALLEN SCROGUM DECEASED Case No. 2020-P-380 CLAIM NOTICE AND NOTICE TO UN-KNOWN HEIRS Notice is hereby given of the death of TERRY ALLEN SCROGUM. Letters Testamentary were issued on July 27, 2020, appointing JOHN L. SWARTZ, of One West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 600 ~ Myers Building, Springfield, Illinois 62701, as Executor, whose attorney is Creighton R. Castle of Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C., One West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 600 ~ Myers Building, Springfield, Illinois 62701, Phone: (217) 525-1571. Claims against the Estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Sangamon County Circuit Court, 200 South Ninth Street, Springfield, IL 62701, or with the representative, or both, within 6 months from the date of the first publication of this Notice. Any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed. This Notice is given to the following unknown heirs of the Decedent, TERRY ALLEN SCROGUM, who died in Springfield, Illinois, on June 29, 2020, at the age of 67 years. A. Unknown descendants of Benjamin Scrogum, Etta Carter Scrogum, Israel Lybarger, Mary Elizabeth Bair Lybarger, John William Bucy, Lena Pate Bucy, John Grissom, Elizabeth Trone Grissom.B. Unknown Descendants of Lila Mae Lybarger, deceased. C. Doug Beatty and Debbie Beatty (last name unknown), descendants of Sandra Beatty, deceased (addresses unknown). D. Dennis Bucy and Terry Bucy, descendants of Claire Bucy, deceased (addresses unknown). E. James Bucy, descendant of George Bucy, deceased (address unknown). F. Larry Bucy and Debbie Gureski, descendants of Otis Bucy, deceased (ad-dresses unknown). G. Pam Gamber and Phyllis Groutage, descendants of Donald Bucy, deceased (addresses unknown). Within 42 days af-ter the date of the first publication of this Notice, any heir may file a Petition with the Court to require proof of the Will by testimony of the witnesses to the Will in open court or other evidence as provided in Section 6-21 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/6-21). Further, any heir of the Decedent has the right under Section 8-1 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/8-1) to contest the validity of the Will by filing a Petition with the Court within six months after admission of the Will to probate. An unknown heir who fails or declines to enter his or her appearance within 30 days of the date of the first publication of this Notice is and may be found in default by the Court in any subsequent proceedings in this Estate. Dated July 27, 2020 CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Sangamon County Courthouse 200 South 9th Street Springfield, IL 62701 ————

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISIN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE MOTTAR, Deceased NO. 2020-P-000396DEATH AND CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is hereby given of the death of ROSALIE MOTTAR. Letters of Administra-tion were issued on July 30, 2020 to GEORGIA R. SALE, 2217 West Iles, Springfield, IL 62704, whose attorney is Ellen C. Bruce of Sgro, Hanrahan, Durr, Rabin & Bruce, LLP, 1119 S. Sixth Street, Springfield, IL 62703. Claims against the Estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Sangamon County Complex, 200 S. Ninth Street, Springfield, IL 62701, or with the Representative of the Estate, or both, within six (6) months from the date of this Publication and any claim not filed within this period is barred. Copies of the claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed.SGRO, HANRAHAN, DURR, RABIN & BRUCE, LLPEllen C. Bruce Registration No. 6288045 1119 South Sixth Street Springfield, IL 62703217-789-1200

STATE OF ILLINOISIN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SEV-ENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITCOUNTY OF SANGAMONIN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OFJEAN A. MCNISH, DECEASED. NO. 2020-P-399NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION - CLAIMSNotice is given of the death of JEAN A. MCNISH, of Springfield, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on July 30, 2020 to SCOTT C. MCNISH 310 Hessel Blvd..; Champaign, IL 61820, whose attorney is Rammelkamp Bradney, P.C., 741 South Grand Avenue West, Springfield, Illinois 62704.Claims against the Estate may be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Court at Sangamon County Courthouse, 200 S 9th St., Springfield, IL 62701 or with the representative, or both, within 6 months from the 13th day of August 2020, being the date of first publication of this Notice and any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/service-providers.htmto learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/gethelp.asp or talk with your local circuit clerk’s office.Dated this 6th day of August, 2020.SCOTT C. MCNISH, Independent Execu-tor of the Estate of JEAN A. MCNISH, DeceasedBY: RAMMELKAMP BRADNEY, P.C.By: /s/ Anthony J. DelGiorno Anthony J. DelGiorno AttorneyAttorneys for Estate:Anthony J. DelGiornoIARDC: 6277358Rammelkamp Bradney, P.C.741 South Grand Avenue WestSpringfield, IL 62704Telephone: (217) 522-6000Email: Tony@rblawyers.net

STATE OF ILLINOISIN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY Re: the marriage ofTashinea T. Anderson PetitionerandTravis Greer, RespondentCase No. 2020-D-353

PUBLIC NOTICES605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOME-OWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSES-SION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclo-sure sale room in Sangamon County.For information, contact Plaintiff’s attorney: QUINTAIROS, PRIETO, WOOD & BOYER, P.A., 233 S. WACKER DRIVE, 70TH FLOOR, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 566-0040 Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.233 S. Wacker Drive, 70th FloorChicago, IL 60606(312) 566-0040 Case Number: 2019CH000359 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collec-tion Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.19CH359

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISWILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITIONS TRUST 2019-HB1, Plaintiff,-v.-ELIZABETH J. OVERFIELD AKA ELIZABETH JEAN WERSEN, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENTDefendant19 CH 275 NOTICE OF SALEPUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 16, 2019, an agent for The Ju-dicial Sales Corporation, will at 1:00 PM on September 17, 2020, at the Do Realty Services, 600 S 6th Street, SPRINGFIELD, IL, 62701, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:Commonly known as 3222 CARMAN AVENUE, SPRINGFIELD, IL 62703Property Index No. 22-16.0-202-006The real estate is improved with a single family residence.The judgment amount was $91,957.93.Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the resi-dential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admon-ished to check the court file to verify all information.If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest com-munity, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOME-OWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSES-SION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclo-sure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.For information, HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 111 East Main Street, DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 422-1719. Please refer to file number 383286.THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATIONOne South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALEYou can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC111 East Main StreetDECATUR IL, 62523217-422-1719Fax #: 217-422-1754E-Mail: Non-CookPleadings@hsbattys.comAttorney File No. 383286Case Number: 19 CH 275TJSC#: 40-2056NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collec-tion Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.Case # 19 CH 275

WML No. IL-005624-1IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY - SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOISLAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC; Plaintiff,

-vs-OLIVE L. SMITH; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LARRY L. SMITH; UNKNOWN OWNERS-TENANTS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendant(s).RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE FORECLOSURECase No. 19 CH 251NOTICE OF SALEPUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause on January 29th, 2020, the Sangamon County Sheriff will, on September 15, 2020, at the hour of 9:00 AM, at the Sangamon County Courthouse, 200 South 9th Street, Springfield, IL 62701, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described property:COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 3001 S. 12th Street, Springfield, IL 62703PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NO: 22-10.0-451-018The improvement on the property con-sists of a Single unit dwelling.Sale terms: cash in hand.The Judgment amount was $57,332.14The property will NOT be open for inspection.IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOME-OWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN EVICTION ORDER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLO-SURE LAW.For information: Contact Steven C. Weiss, Esq. of Noonan & Lieberman, Ltd, Plaintiff’s Attorney, 105 West Adams Street, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60603. 312-605-3500.19CH251

August 20-26, 2020 | Illinois Times | 25

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION Notice is given you Travis Greer, Respon-dent herein, that this cause has been commenced against you in this court asking for a dissolution of marriage and other relief.Unless you file your response or otherwise file your appearance in this cause in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Sangamon County, in Springfield, Illinois on or before the 6th day of September, 2020 a judgment

of dissolution of marriage and other relief may be granted as prayed for in the Petition.Paul PalazzoloCircuit Clerk

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISIn the matter of the Petition ofZAVONDA SHANAY MURRAYFor change of name to

NA’YAH ISRAELCase NO.: 2020-MR-423PUBLIC NOTICEPublic Notice is hereby given that on October 6, 2020 I will petition in said Court praying for the change of name from ZAVONDA SHANAY MURRAY to NA’YAH ISRAELpursuant to the statute in such case made and provided.Dated: August 6, 2020

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISIn the matter of the Petition ofJOURN’E FA LOVE HOODFor change of name to JOURN’E FA LOVE DAWSONCase NO.: 2020-MR-537PUBLIC NOTICEPublic Notice is hereby given that on September 22, 2020 I will petition in said Court praying for the change of name from JOURN’E FA LOVE HOOD to JOURN’E FA LOVE DAWSON pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided.Dated: August 6, 2020

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISIn the matter of the Petition ofELAINE MARIE BLACKWELLFor change of name to ELLIOTT MITCHELL BLACKWELLCase NO.: 2020-MR-537PUBLIC NOTICEPublic Notice is hereby given that on September 22, 2020 I will petition in said Court praying for the change of name from ELAINE MARIE BLACKWELL to ELLIOTT MITCHELL BLACKWELL pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided.Dated: August 6, 2020

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISIn the matter of the Petition ofDOLORES ANN LAZARUSFor change of name to DEE LAZARUSCase NO.: 2020-MR-617PUBLIC NOTICEPublic Notice is hereby given that on October 6, 2020 I will petition in said Court praying for the change of name from DOLORES ANN LAZARUS to DEE LAZARUS pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided.Dated: August 13, 2020

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISIn the matter of the Petition ofKYLE JOSEPH CASTLEBERRYFor change of name to KYLE JOSEPH ODENCase NO.: 2020-MR-512PUBLIC NOTICEPublic Notice is hereby given that on September 8, 2020 I will petition in said Court praying for the change of name from KYLE JOSEPH CASTLEBERRY to KYLE JOSEPH ODEN pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided.Dated: July 16, 2020

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISIn the matter of the Petition ofCHEYENNE RETAE SCOVILLEFor change of name to

CHEYENNE RETAE DIXONCase NO.: 2020-MR-673PUBLIC NOTICEPublic Notice is hereby given that on October 6, 2020 I will petition in said Court praying for the change of name from CHEYENNE RETAE SCOVILLE to CHEYENNE RETAE DIXON pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided.Dated: August 20, 2020

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISIn the matter of the Petition ofAMBER MICHELLE VESELACKFor change of name to ASHER MICHAEL VESELACKCase NO.: 2020-MR-690PUBLIC NOTICEPublic Notice is hereby given that on October 6, 2020 I will petition in said Court praying for the change of name from AMBER MICHELLE VESELACK to ASHER MICHAEL VESELACK pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided.Dated: August 20, 2020

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISIn the matter of the Petition ofVALERIE LORRAINE BERRYMANFor change of name to VALERIE LORRAINE LEWISCase NO.: 2020-MR-663PUBLIC NOTICEPublic Notice is hereby given that on October 6, 2020 I will petition in said Court praying for the change of name from VALERIE LORRAINE BERRYMAN to VALERIE LORRAINE LEWIS pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided.Dated: August 20, 2020

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISIn the matter of the Petition ofJAXSTEN DASHAWN BLAZE CLARKFor change of name to JAXSTEN DAVID SUZEWITSCase NO.: 2020-MR-389PUBLIC NOTICEPublic Notice is hereby given that on October 6, 2020 I will petition in said Court praying for the change of name from JAXSTEN DASHAWN BLAZE CLARK to JAXSTEN DAVID SUZEWITS pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided.Dated: August 20, 2020

F20070004CNLR IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS¬7TH JUDICAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY - SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOISLoandepot.com, LLC, Plaintiff,vs.Unknown heirs and legatees of Robert Evans Brumett aka Robert E. Brumett; Susan Coulter; Unknown Owners and Non-Record ClaimantsDefendant(s) CASE NO. 20 CH 126Property Address: 37 County Road. Chatham, Illinois 62629NOTICE FOR PUBLICATIONThe requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given you, Unknown heirs and legatees of Robert Evans Brumett aka Robert E. Bru-mett, UNKNOWN HEIRS and LEGATEES of Robert E Brumett aka Robert Evans Brumett and UNKNOWN OWNERS and NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, defendants

in the above entitled cause, that suit has been commenced against you and other defendants in the Circuit Court for the Judicial Circuit by said plaintiff praying for the foreclosure of a certain mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to wit:LOT 19 IN BUCKINGHAM PLACE, THIRD ADDITION, CHATHAM, ILLINOIS.SITUATED IN SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISP.I.N.: 28-12.0-379-009Said property is commonly known as 37 County Road. Chatham, Illinois 62629, and which said mortgage(s) was/were made by Robert Evans Brumett and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds as Document Number 2018R18865 and for other relief; that Summons was duly issued out of the above Court against you as provided by law and that said suit is now pending.NOW THEREFORE, unless you, the said above named defendants, file your answer to the complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Court at Sangamon County on or before September 14, 2020, a default may be taken against you at any time after that date and a Judgment entered in accor-dance with the prayer of said complaint. E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit http://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/service-providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/gethelp.asp. This communication is an attempt to col-lect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.Diaz Anselmo Lindberg, LLC1771 W. Diehl Rd., Ste 120, Naperville, IL 60563-4947 630-453-6960 | 866-402-8661 | 630-428-4620 (fax)Attorney No. Cook 64727, DuPage 293191, Kane 031-26104, Peoria 1794, Winnebago 3802, IL 03126232MidwestPleadings@dallegal.comTHIS LAW FIRM IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR.20CH126

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY - SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOISBank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as Trustee for Mortgage Assets Man-agement Series I Trust, PLAINTIFFVs.Glen E. Tuxhorn Jr. as Independent Administrator; et. al., DEFENDANTS2020CH000030NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE OF REAL ESTATEPUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 07/22/2020, the Sheriff of Sangamon County, Illinois will on September 22, 2020 at the hour of 9:00 AM at in the Second Floor Boardroom of the San-gamon County Courthouse 200 South 9th Street Springfield, IL 62701, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale, County of Sangamon and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate:PARCEL 1 LOT 17 AND THE NORTH 40 FEET OF LOT 16 IN BLOCK 5 OF BELMONT PARK GARDENS SITUATED IN SANGAMON COUNTY ILLINOIS.PARCEL 2: THE SOUTH 60 FEET OF LOT 18 IN BLOCK 5 OF BELMONT PARK GARDENS, A SUBDIVISION IN SECTION 10

AND 11, TOWNSHIP 15 NORTH, RANGE 5 WEST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERID-IAN. SITUATED IN SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.PIN 22-10.0-430-013; 22-10.0-430-012Improved with ResidentialCOMMONLY KNOWN AS: 2918 S Wood-ward St Springfield, IL 62703Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condo-minium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).If the property is located in a common interest community, purchasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Con-firmation of the sale. The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.The property will NOT be open for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all information.IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOME-OWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSES-SION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.For information: Examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876. Please refer to file number 14-19-11306.I3153832

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SEV-ENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISPNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, v.CYNTHIA SUTHERIN AS SPECIAL REPRE-SENTATIVE FOR DANIEL M. DAUBACH; HELEN DAUBACH; SHERRI LAYENDECKER, MICHAEL HINTON, GUY DAUBACH, TERRY HINTON, UNKNOWN HEIRS OF DANIEL M. DAUBACH; UNKNOWN OWNERS; AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendant(s). Residential Mortgage ForeclosureCase No.: 2019CH000359Property Address:

AN ORDINANCE LEVYING THE ANNUAL TAXES FOR WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2020, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2021

BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Trustees of WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT:

SECTION 1. That Whereas there was passed by the Board of Trustees of WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT on August 13, 2020, approved August 13, 2020, and published in a newspaper of general circulation within said District, the Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for WESTERN FIRE PROTEC-TION DISTRICT for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021, which annual budget and appropriation ordinance is in words and figures as follows:BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDI-NANCE FOR WESTERN FIRE PROTEC-TION DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2020 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2021

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT has prepared a tentative Budget and Appropriation Ordinance and through the Secretary of said Board has made the same conveniently available to public inspection for at least thirty (30)days prior to final action thereon; and

WHEREAS, a public hearing was held as to such Budget and Appropria-tion Ordinance on the 13tt, day of Au-gust, 2020, notice of such hearing was given at least thirty (30) days prior to such hearing and all other legal require-ments having been complied with;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Trustees of WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT:

SECTION 1. That the following bud-get containing an estimate of revenue and expenditures be, and the same is hereby adopted as the budget of said WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT for the fiscal year beginning July I, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021.

PART I. ESTIMATED RECEIPTS Cash on hand at beginning of year $0.00General taxes for the year to be used for payment of expenses incurred during fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 3 0, 2021 $195,000.00Total Estimated Receipts $195,000.00

PART II. ESTIMATED EXPENDI-TURES (Constituting the appropriation for the fiscal year July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, as provided in Section 2 of this Ordinance) Attorneys’ compensation $ 5,000.00Salaries of Trustees at $1,000.00 per year $3,000.00Publication costs $450.00Trustee’s bond premiums $150.00Miscellaneous administrative expenses 125.00Auditing fees $1,000.00City of Springfield-fire protection $184,975.00Curran-Gardner Water District $300.00Total Estimated Expenditures $195,000.00

SECTION 2. That there is hereby

appropriated for the corporate pur-poses of WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021, the sum of$195,000.00, being divided among the several objects and purposes, specified and enumerated and in the particular amounts stated for each purpose in Part II of Section I, and said statement in Section I hereof entitled “Part II. Estimated Expenditures ( constituting the appropriations for the fiscal year July I, 2020 to June 30, 2021, as provided in Section 2 of this Ordinance)” is hereby incorporated by reference as part of this Section 2 with the same effect as if said statement was repeated in its entirety; and that this Section 2 shall be and is the annual appropriation ordinance of this WEST-ERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.

SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage, approval and publica-tion as provided by law.PASSED: August 13, 2020 APPROVED: August 13, 2020

/s/ Samuel D. CollinsPresident, Board of Trustees of WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION

DISTRICTATTEST:/s/ Alfred B. LaBarreSecretary, Board of Trustee of WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

THEREFORE, THERE IS HEREBY LEVIED on all real and personal property within the corporation limits of WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, subject to taxation, as the same is assessed equalized, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021, the sum of $210,000.00 for the following purposes:Attorneys’ compensation $5,000.00Salaries of Trustees at $1,000.00 per year $3,000.00Publication costs $450.00Trustee’s bond premiums $150.00Miscellaneous administrative expenses $125.00Auditing fees $1,000.00City of Springfield-fire protection $199,975.00Curran-Gardner Water District $300.00Total Estimated Expenditures $210,000.00That the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, upon the passage and ap-proval of this Ordinance, shall file a duly certified copy thereof with the County Clerk of Sangamon County, Illinois, in such case made and provided.

This Ordinance shall be in effect and be in full force from and after its passage, approval and publication as provided by law.PASSED: Augnst 13, 2020APPROVED: Augnst 13, 2020

/s/ Samuel D. Collins President, Board of Trustees of

WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTICTATTEST:/s/ Alfred B. LaBarreSecretary, Board·ofTrustee of WESTERN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

26 | www.illinoistimes.com | August 20-26, 2020

112 S. Wesley St. Springfield, IL 62703NOTICE OF SALEPUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 08/05/2020, The Sheriff of Sangamon County, Illinois, will at 9:00AM on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020, at the Sangamon County Courthouse, located at 200 South Ninth St., Springfield, IL 62701 in the 2nd floor in the County Board Room, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT SEVEN (7) IN SPAULDING’S BERGEN PARK SIDE ADDITION.COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 112 S. Wesley St., Springfield, IL 62703 PERMANENT INDEX NO.: 14-36-102-007The real estate is improved with a single family residence.The Judgment amount is $26,410.39.Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Sangamon County Sher-iff’s Office. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgage, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representa-tion as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclo-sure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest com-munity, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOME-OWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSES-SION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclo-sure sale room in Sangamon County. For information, contact Plaintiff’s attorney: QUINTAIROS, PRIETO, WOOD & BOYER, P.A., 233 S. WACKER DRIVE, 70TH FLOOR, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 566-0040 Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.233 S. Wacker Drive, 70th FloorChicago, IL 60606(312) 566-0040

Case Number: 2019CH000359 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Col-lection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.19CH359

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISWILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES AC-QUISITIONS TRUST 2019-HB1, Plaintiff,-v.-ELIZABETH J. OVERFIELD AKA ELIZABETH JEAN WERSEN, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENTDefendant19 CH 275 NOTICE OF SALEPUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 16, 2019, an agent for The Ju-dicial Sales Corporation, will at 1:00 PM on September 17, 2020, at the Do Realty Services, 600 S 6th Street, SPRINGFIELD, IL, 62701, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITU-ATED IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF SANGAMON, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:THE SOUTH 1/2 OF LOT 11 IN BLOCK 9 IN GOLDEN GARDENS ANNEX B, EXCEPT-ING AND RESERVING ALL COAL, MINER-ALS AND RIGHTS TO MINE AND REMOVE SAME, SUBJECT TO TAXES FOR THE YEAR OF 1996 AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS AND SUBJECT FURTHER TO ALL EASEMENTS, RESTRICTIONS, COVENANTS AND RESER-VATIONS OF RECORD, SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF SANGAMON, IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. Commonly known as 3222 CARMAN AVENUE, SPRINGFIELD, IL 62703Property Index No. 22-16.0-202-006The real estate is improved with a single family residence.The judgment amount was $91,957.93.Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the resi-dential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United

States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclo-sure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest com-munity, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOME-OWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSES-SION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclo-sure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.For information, HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 111 East Main Street, DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 422-1719. Please refer to file number 383286.THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATIONOne South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALEYou can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC111 East Main StreetDECATUR IL, 62523217-422-1719Fax #: 217-422-1754E-Mail: Non-CookPleadings@hsbattys.comAttorney File No. 383286Case Number: 19 CH 275TJSC#: 40-2056NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Col-lection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.Case # 19 CH 275

WML No. IL-005624-1IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY - SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOISLAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC; Plaintiff,-vs-OLIVE L. SMITH; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LARRY L. SMITH; UNKNOWN OWNERS-TENANTS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendant(s).RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE

Case No. 19 CH 251NOTICE OF SALEPUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause on January 29th, 2020, the Sangamon County Sheriff will, on September 15, 2020, at the hour of 9:00 AM, at the San-gamon County Courthouse, 200 South 9th Street, Springfield, IL 62701, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described property:LEGAL DESCRIPTION:LOT 1, EXCEPT THE WEST 80.60 FEET THEREOF, IN BLOCK 9 TOWN OF MIL-DRED, SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 3001 S. 12th Street, Springfield, IL 62703PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NO: 22-10.0-451-018The improvement on the property con-sists of a Single unit dwelling.Sale terms: cash in hand.The Judgment amount was $57,332.14The property will NOT be open for inspection.IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOME-OWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN EVICTION ORDER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLO-SURE LAW.For information: Contact Steven C. Weiss, Esq. of Noonan & Lieberman, Ltd, Plaintiff’s Attorney, 105 West Adams Street, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60603. 312-605-3500.19CH251

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS In the interest of ALYSA CURTIS AND LEAH CURTIS, minorsCase No: 18-JA-252-253NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN MICHELLE CISCO, JARED CURTIS, AND UNKNOWN FATHERS, respondents, and to all whom it may con-cern, that on August 12, 2020 a petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by State’s Attorney’s Office in this court and that in courtroom of Judge Karen Tharp or any judge sitting in her stead in Room 7A of Sangamon County Complex, 200 South Ninth Street, Springfield, Illinois, on SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 at 10:30 AM hearing will be held upon the petition to have the minors declared to be wards of the court and for other relief under the Act. THE COURT HAS AUTHORITY IN THIS CASE TO TAKE FROM YOU THE CUSTODY AND GUARDIANSHIP OF THE MINORS. IF THE PETITION REQUESTS THE TERMINA-TION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN WITH POWER TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION, YOU MAY LOSE ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS TO THE CHILDREN. UNLESS YOU appear at the hearing and show cause to the contrary, AN ORDER OR JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE PETITION. UNLESS YOU APPEAR AT THE HEARING, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO FURTHER WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THIS CASE, INCLUDING THE FILING OF AN AMENDED PETITION OR MOTION TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS In the interest of ISAAC LOTZ, a minorCase No: 19-JA-140NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN SAMANTHA ANDRING, MATTHEW LOTZ, AND UNKNOWN FATHERS, respondents, and to all whom

it may concern, that on August 12, 2020 a petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by State’s Attorney’s Office in this court and that in courtroom of Judge Karen Tharp or any judge sitting in her stead in Room 7A of Sangamon County Complex, 200 South Ninth Street, Spring-field, Illinois, on SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 at 2:30 PM hearing will be held upon the petition to have the minor declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under the Act. THE COURT HAS AUTHOR-ITY IN THIS CASE TO TAKE FROM YOU THE CUSTODY AND GUARDIANSHIP OF THE MINOR. IF THE PETITION REQUESTS THE TERMINATION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN WITH POWER TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION, YOU MAY LOSE ALL PAREN-TAL RIGHTS TO THE CHILD. UNLESS YOU appear at the hearing and show cause to the contrary, AN ORDER OR JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE PETITION. UNLESS YOU APPEAR AT THE HEARING, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO FURTHER WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THIS CASE, INCLUDING THE FILING OF AN AMENDED PETITION OR MOTION TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS In the interest of NAYELI LOYA, a minorCase No: 20-JA-71NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN UNKNOWN FATHERS, respondents, and to all whom it may concern, that on February 26, 2020 a petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by State’s Attorney’s Office in this court and that in courtroom of Judge Karen Tharp or any judge sitting in her stead in Room 7A of Sangamon County Complex, 200 South Ninth Street, Springfield, Illinois, on AUGUST 27, 2020 at 1:30 PM hearing will be held upon the petition to have the minor declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under the Act. THE COURT HAS AUTHOR-ITY IN THIS CASE TO TAKE FROM YOU THE CUSTODY AND GUARDIANSHIP OF THE MINOR. IF THE PETITION REQUESTS THE TERMINATION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN WITH POWER TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION, YOU MAY LOSE ALL PAREN-TAL RIGHTS TO THE CHILD. UNLESS YOU appear at the hearing and show cause to the contrary, AN ORDER OR JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE PETITION. UNLESS YOU APPEAR AT THE HEARING, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO FURTHER WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THIS CASE, INCLUDING THE FILING OF AN AMENDED PETITION OR MOTION TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS In the interest of DAMIR STELIVAN, a minorCase No: 18-JA-193NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN DEANGELO JONES AND UNKNOWN FATHERS, respondents, and to all whom it may concern, that on August 10, 2020 a petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by State’s Attorney’s Office in this court and that in courtroom of Judge Karen Tharp or any judge sitting in her stead in Room 7A of Sangamon County Complex, 200 South Ninth Street, Springfield, Illinois, on SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 at 2:30 PM

hearing will be held upon the petition to have the minor declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under the Act. THE COURT HAS AUTHORITY IN THIS CASE TO TAKE FROM YOU THE CUSTODY AND GUARDIANSHIP OF THE MINOR. IF THE PETITION REQUESTS THE TERMINA-TION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN WITH POWER TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION, YOU MAY LOSE ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS TO THE CHILD. UNLESS YOU appear at the hearing and show cause to the contrary, AN ORDER OR JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE PETITION. UNLESS YOU APPEAR AT THE HEARING, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO FURTHER WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THIS CASE, INCLUDING THE FILING OF AN AMENDED PETITION OR MOTION TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS In the interest of LILLIANNA PELLETIER, a minorCase No: 20-JA-53NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN JOSEPH P. AND UNKNOWN FATHERS, respondents, and to all whom it may concern, that on August 10, 2020 a petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by State’s Attorney’s Office in this court and that in courtroom of Judge Karen Tharp or any judge sitting in her stead in Room 7A of Sangamon County Complex, 200 South Ninth Street, Springfield, Illinois, on SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 at 8:30 AM hearing will be held upon the petition to have the minor declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under the Act. THE COURT HAS AUTHORITY IN THIS CASE TO TAKE FROM YOU THE CUSTODY AND GUARDIANSHIP OF THE MINOR. IF THE PETITION REQUESTS THE TERMINA-TION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN WITH POWER TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION, YOU MAY LOSE ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS TO THE CHILD. UNLESS YOU appear at the hearing and show cause to the contrary, AN ORDER OR JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE PETITION. UNLESS YOU APPEAR AT THE HEARING, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO FURTHER WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THIS CASE, INCLUDING THE FILING OF AN AMENDED PETITION OR MOTION TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS In the interest of PRESTON PELLETIER, a minorCase No: 19-JA-202NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN UNKNOWN FATHERS, respondents, and to all whom it may concern, that on June 9, 2020 a petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by State’s Attorney’s Office in this court and that in courtroom of Judge Karen Tharp or any judge sitting in her stead in Room 7A of Sangamon County Complex, 200 South Ninth Street, Springfield, Illinois, on SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 at 8:30 AM hearing will be held upon the petition to have the minor declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under the Act. THE COURT HAS AUTHORITY IN THIS CASE TO TAKE FROM YOU THE CUSTODY AND GUARDIANSHIP OF THE MINOR. IF THE PETITION REQUESTS THE TERMINA-TION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN WITH

August 20-26, 2020 | Illinois Times | 27

Hits Edited by J. Reynolds - No. 650 Puzzle answers from this week will appear here

next week

Crossword answers from #649

Sudoku answers from #649

JoshJosh answers from #649

JoshJosh by J. Reynolds - No. 650Fill the grid with digits so as not to repeat a digit in any row or column, and so that the digits within each heavily outlined box will produce the target number shown, by using addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, as indicated in the box. A 6x6 grid will use 1-6.

Difficulty hard

Sudoku No. 650Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusive.

Difficulty medium

POWER TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION, YOU MAY LOSE ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS TO THE CHILD. UNLESS YOU appear at the hearing and show cause to the contrary, AN ORDER OR JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE PETITION. UNLESS YOU APPEAR AT THE HEARING, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO FURTHER WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THIS CASE, INCLUDING THE FILING OF AN AMENDED PETITION OR MOTION TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS.

STATE OF ILLINOISIN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY April Cook, Petitionervs.Gregory Grey, RespondentCase No: 2020-OP-875NOTICE BY PUBLICATION Gregory Grey, this cause has been com-menced against you in this Court asking for an Order of Protection. Unless you file your Answer or otherwise file your Appearance in this cause in the Office of the Circuit Clerk of Sangamon County, Sangamon County Complex, 200 S. Ninth St., Room 405, Springfield, Illinois, on or before September 17, 2020, a judgment or decree by default may be taken against you for the relief asked in the complaint.Paul PalazzoloClerk of the CourtDate: August 20, 2020

STATE OF ILLINOISIN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY Kenneth Richardson, Petitionervs.Jeff Keltner, RespondentCase No: 2020-OP-823NOTICE BY PUBLICATION Jeff Keltner, this cause has been com-menced against you in this Court asking for an Order of Protection. Unless you file your Answer or otherwise file your Appearance in this cause in the Office of the Circuit Clerk of Sangamon County, Sangamon County Complex, 200 S. Ninth St., Room 405, Springfield, Illinois, on or before September 3, 2020, a judgment or decree by default may be taken against you for the relief asked in the complaint.Paul PalazzoloClerk of the CourtDate: August 6, 2020

STATE OF ILLINOISIN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY Monty Knepler, Petitionervs.Alexis Stahulak, RespondentCase No: 2020-OP-958NOTICE BY PUBLICATION Alexis Stahulak, this cause has been commenced against you in this Court asking for an Order of Protection. Unless you file your Answer or otherwise file your Appearance in this cause in the Office of the Circuit Clerk of Sangamon County, Sangamon County Complex, 200 S. Ninth St., Room 405, Springfield, Illinois, on or before September 24, 2020, a judgment or decree by default may be taken against you for the relief asked in the complaint.Paul PalazzoloClerk of the CourtDate: August 20, 2020

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOISIn the interest of DEQUAN PAGE-LARA-MORE, a minorCase No: 19-JA-127NOTICE BY PUBLICATIONNOTICE IS GIVEN STEVEN LARAMORE, respondent, and to all whom it may con-cern, that on August 5, 2020 a petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by State’s Attorney’s Office in this court and that in courtroom of Judge Karen Tharp or any judge sitting in her stead in Room 7A of Sangamon County Complex, 200 South Ninth Street, Springfield, Illinois, on OCTOBER 7, 2020 at 10:00 AM hearing will be held upon the petition to have the minor declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under the Act. THE COURT HAS AUTHORITY IN THIS CASE TO TAKE FROM YOU THE CUSTODY AND GUARDIANSHIP OF THE MINOR. IF THE PETITION REQUESTS THE TERMINATION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN WITH POWER TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION, YOU MAY LOSE ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS TO THE CHILD. UNLESS YOU appear at the hearing and show cause to the contrary, AN ORDER OR JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE PETITION. UNLESS YOU APPEAR AT THE HEARING, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO FURTHER WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THIS CASE, INCLUDING THE FILING OF AN AMENDED PETITION OR MOTION TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS.

28 | www.illinoistimes.com | August 20-26, 2020